LIBRARIES matter. That was the clear message from a recent meeting I had near Moretonhampstead with campaigner Solomon Elliott from Save Devon’s Libraries to discuss the future of our library services across the county.

Libraries are not just about books. They are about people, opportunity and community.

Across England around 30 per cent of adults used a public library service in the last year, which is roughly 13 to 14 million people.

Nationally there are just under 3,000 static public libraries in England and more than 4,000 across the UK.

These are huge numbers and they show that libraries remain a mainstream public service, not a niche interest from a bygone age.

The way people use libraries is also changing. In England libraries are now seeing well over 100 million physical visits each year, alongside millions more digital interactions.

In 2023 library users across the UK borrowed over 16 million ebooks, audiobooks and digital magazines, with digital borrowing rising by more than 20 per cent in a single year.

That trend is reflected here in Devon where more and more residents mix traditional visits with online access to books and information.

Libraries also host activity on a scale that often goes unnoticed. Recent national figures show around 725,000 in person events in a single year, attracting about 11 million attendees.

These range from children’s story time sessions and homework clubs to job search workshops and digital skills training. Far from being quiet, empty buildings, many libraries are now some of the most active community spaces we have.

The economic value of libraries is striking. One major study last year estimated that public libraries in England generate at least £3.4 billion of value every year when you factor in education, health, wellbeing and employment benefits.

For families this can mean improved literacy for children. For older residents it can mean a safe place to socialise, access information and get support.

For people who are not online at home, the library is often the only practical route to apply for jobs or access vital services.

In Devon, our libraries sit at the heart of towns and villages and are often co-located with other important amenities.

They help keep high streets alive, support local cultural events and provide a warm, welcoming space at a time when some people are struggling with the cost of living.

They also offer something increasingly rare in public life which is a genuinely shared civic space open to everyone regardless of age, background or income.

The current consultation on the future of Devon’s library services is therefore extremely important.

I will continue to follow developments closely, including the council’s response which is due in May.

Whatever changes come, my focus will be on making sure residents across Central Devon continue to have good access to high quality library services that meet modern needs while preserving the core values that have made libraries so important for generations.

Facebook: Mel Stride MP X: @MelJStride Instagram: @melstridemp Website: www.melstridemp.com

Mel Stride, MP for Central Devon