Libraries are now “community hubs” rather than just places to borrow books, according to the boss of the library service in Devon.

Libraries Unlimited chief executive Alex Kittow has welcomed the prospect of a consultation on the future of the county’s libraries and urged the public to have their say.

It comes as Devon County Council looks at ways of reducing its annual payment of more than £7m to the charity which runs 50 libraries.

The council’s cabinet approved plans on Wednesday for a 12-week public consultation looking at whether more volunteer involvement and improved use of technology could cut costs.

A report for Devon County Council said there were more than 113,000 library users in Devon and, while the physical borrowing of books has decreased, digital loans had surged to more than one million a year.

Mr Kittow said more than 200,000 people attended events at libraries in 2024/25 and people were using libraries differently now.

He said: “You aren’t told to be quiet when you enter a library any more – in fact, we have singing in the Bounce and Rhyme event in the kids’ area, we’ve got Knit and Natter groups, and all sorts of activities going on.

“I think it’s a good thing to have a consultation because we all get to have a say in what the future holds.”

Plans to close the mobile library service in Devon prompted a huge public backlash, but the involvement of celebrity authors such as Stephen Fry failed to change the minds of councillors who voted to end the service in November 2023.

Ian Fleming was spending time in the children’s section of Newton Abbot library with his son and said: “It’s just a nice space to bring him in when I’m in town – he enjoys being in here and is free to run around.”

Lilly Newbold is a regular library user and had come in to check bus timetables.

She said: “For me it’s a hub – I can get everything I need here.”

Andrew Johnson hires a workspace upstairs in the library to run his small catering business, Platter, and Barclays Bank hires a room on the ground floor.

Sawyer, a student, said the library was a “wonderful place” with “lovely staff” and a great environment for learning.

The Newton Abbot Community Shed group shares skills in making, fixing and recycling in a workshop on the library site.

Tim Faulkner from the group said members started using the room one morning a week and had now developed to using the workshop full-time.

The council’s cabinet approved the plans unanimously.

Speaking after the meeting, cabinet member for culture Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, Liberal Democrat, said there were a range of options on the table.

She said they included looking at “self-access” where library members could use their card to go into libraries outside standard opening hours without a librarian on site.

She said: “We really want to go out to consultation to find out what is important to people in their local communities and what they would like to see from their libraries and how we can do things differently.”

A recruitment freeze in place is already “impacting on the ability to deliver published opening hours” at libraries in Devon.

The council’s report said “difficult decisions” would need to be made to achieve “substantial savings”.

The 12-week public consultation is due to start in November and conclude in January.