Devon Book Club discussion

The Devon Library Service is to become a mutual and is looking for an experienced, voluntary, part-time Chair to lead it forward.

If you are interested or know someone else who might be, details can be found at http://www.devon.gov.uk/libraries-cha...

This will be a very demanding role as the person will be involved right at the start and will shape the new service, also hugely rewarding. Let's hope we get the right person

agree that Ley. this is a big change for the service and important that it is done well.

Closing date fast approaching if anyone was considering applying...!

Anna wrote: "Closing date fast approaching if anyone was considering applying...!"

Its probably on the link Anna, but when is the closing date? Not that I'm applying - got enough to keep me occupied.

An important milestone in the development of "Libraries Unlimited", the new Devon Public Service Mutual that will run our library service from April 2016. Best wishes to all involved.

https://new.devon.gov.uk/futurelibrar...

Excellent news that Ciara Eastell, the current Head of Devon Library Service has been appointed as the new CEO of Libraries Unlimited, the new mutual that will take over the service from next April. Congratulations from Devon Book Club.
We also met Julie Dent, the new Chair, at our Sidmouth event in September. Julie also brings a wide range of experience and expertise to the role. Together, they make an impressive team.
Clara has already been in touch with me to arrange a meeting in the New Year. I am sure Devon Book Club and Libraries Unlimited will build a really strong and lasting partnership. We've a unique opportunity to innovate and be creative and I know you'll all join me in wishing Ciara, Julie and their team every success.
ttps://m.facebook.com/Devon.Libraries/photos...

Ciara Eastell just posted this on her FB page yesterday and I thought it was worth copying across here. I am sure you will join me in wishing Ciara and her team at Libraries Unlimited every success.

"At midnight tonight, I will cease to be an employee of Devon County Council. Tomorrow I will be an employee (and Chief Executive) of Libraries Unlimited, a new organisation which will run all 50 libraries across Devon as a staff and community owned mutual. Getting to this point has been incredibly hard work but we have such a brilliant team and such amazing support across Devon, it feels like we can't possibly fail. Libraries genuinely do change lives and that's what motivates all of us who've given so much of our working lives to them. If you haven't used your library for a while, go along and see what's on offer - you may be surprised".

That's fantastic news, Ciara. It's a new start in every way for our Libraries, and I wish you all the luck in the world!

Thanks to all in the Devon Book Club for their interest in Libraries Unlimited. As we start our first few days as a new organisation delivering library services across Devon, it's really encouraging to know that readers and writers across the county support us. We'll keep you posted on how we're getting on and welcome your feedback and ideas on how we can develop Devon's libraries. Encouraging a love of reading will remain one of our most important roles.

Ciara wrote: "Thanks to all in the Devon Book Club for their interest in Libraries Unlimited. As we start our first few days as a new organisation delivering library services across Devon, it's really encouragin..."

We're right behind you Ciara and keen to support you and your team however we can. Have a great first full week at the helm of the new organisation and I look forward to building our partnership in the months ahead

Wishing you all lots of luck for the future. Lyn Ferrand

Ian wrote: "Ciara Eastell just posted this on her FB page yesterday and I thought it was worth copying across here. I am sure you will join me in wishing Ciara and her team at Libraries Unlimited every success..."

Good luck to you and all the team, Ciara in the new venture. Libraries are so precious.

Good luck to you Ciara, and to all the staff across Devon. Let us know if there are ways we can help. My life would be so much more boring and complicated without the wonderful 'Kingsbridge Library' and all its lovely staff - plus all library staff everywhere. And, my work would be very difficult without the wonderful inter-Library loan system.
Long Live Libraries!!

Sending best wishes to Libraries Unlimited - here's to the future of libraries in Devon!

Such a fantastic day yesterday. World Book Night, launch of Libraries Unlimited and loads of chat with writers and book lovers of all kinds. What a wonderful, creative network we have in this county. So much to report on but here are a few highlights:

" a fizzing laboratory of ideas for the curious, an observatory of thought, a playground for the mind" one memorable sentence from the speech by Claire Barker at the Barnstaple Launch - I hope you'll enjoy reading it
https://twitter.com/clairebarker/stat...

Barnstaple library was fortunate to host a wonderful "scribble of writers" (not sure of the collective noun!) to join at its launch event

Kingsbridge LIbrary was entertained by Clare Helen Welch, author of Aerodynamics of Biscuits

Exeter Library welcomed Michael Morpurgo to its launchM.B.E - he was wonderfully amusing and thought-provoking

Lots more was going on all around the county - wheelbarrow book giveaways, A celebration of Shakespeare at Chudleigh, and another at Walter Henry's Bookshop yesterday afternoon.

At Stoke Lodge Hotel another event featured several local authors including Lesley Pearse

Such a great day. Hope you managed to join in somewhere near you!

For those of us working in Devon Libraries, the launch of the new mutual heralds a very exciting time which opens the doors to our being able to explore new avenues and put on more varied events for everyone. It's a great time to reconnect with your local library if you are not a regular user, or keep coming if you are!

Mark

Mark wrote: "For those of us working in Devon Libraries, the launch of the new mutual heralds a very exciting time which opens the doors to our being able to explore new avenues and put on more varied events fo..."

Agree that Mark - I see that you work in Crediton - please keep us abreast if developments there and spread the word with library users, Friends and colleagues - I am really keen to build a highly participatory and relevant network. It was a privilege to be part of the launch events on Saturday and we clearly need to build energetically on that foundation.

I will let you know as things come up. There are lots of avenues that I would like to explore. We are putting on a Library themed murder mystery evening in the Library in July, for example, as a fundraiser.

Mark

Mark wrote: "I will let you know as things come up. There are lots of avenues that I would like to explore. We are putting on a Library themed murder mystery evening in the Library in July, for example, as a fu..."

Sounds great - be good to meet - I'll e-mail you

You may be interested in this message from Libraries Unlimited

"Heading back to work after Bank Holiday & want a change? We're recruiting for six new roles to run the organisation"

https://librariesunlimited.org.uk/jobs/

It is great that the new library service is continuing to support reading groups in Devon.I have just selected my choices for the coming year from a fantastic selection of books - which includes fiction, non fiction and poetry. Really good to see plenty of newly purchased titles, many of which are by local Devon authors - wonderful!

Speaking as a member of Library staff, I can confirm that we are all lovely :)

Mark wrote: "Speaking as a member of Library staff, I can confirm that we are all lovely :)"

We are indeed.

Ley wrote: "Mark wrote: "Speaking as a member of Library staff, I can confirm that we are all lovely :)"

We are indeed."

Enough of the love in already haha

gotta get it wherever I can.

Ley wrote: "gotta get it wherever I can."

hahaha - we all love Libraries Unlimited