The march of the books - Paignton Library is moving!

More than 18,000 books are packing their bags ready to move to their new home as the brand new Paignton Library and Information Centre nears completion.

The existing Paignton Library, in Courtland Road, will close at 4pm on Saturday, August 14 in readiness for the move to the brand new Paignton Library and Information Centre in Great Western Road, which opens on Monday, September 13.

In order to move the 20,000 items, the existing library will need to close while the items are carefully packed, moved and re-shelved in sequence at the new library and information centre. Of the 20,000 items, approximately 18,000 are books with the rest being DVDs, CDs and cassettes.

To minimise disruption to library users while the move is taking place, a number of provisions have been set up:

- Books, DVDs, and all other items on loan from Paignton can be returned to Torquay, Churston and Brixham libraries during the closure period. A bookmark is available showing the opening times and phone numbers of these libraries. There will also be a drop off bin outside the front of the new building from Monday, September 6.

- Books and other items on loan can be renewed by telephone*, at any of the three libraries listed above, or on our website at torbay.gov.uk/libraries

- The Torbay Mobile Library will be visiting Victoria Street, Paignton, on several dates for users to borrow books and other items, as well as providing information on membership and general enquiries. The mobile library will be in Paignton on the following dates:

    - Saturday 21 August (9.30am–4pm)

    - Wednesday 25 August (1.30pm–5pm)

    - Saturday 28 August (9.30am–4.00pm)

    - Saturday 4 September (9.30am–4.00pm)

    - Wednesday 8 September (1.30pm–5.00pm)

- Members will be able to double their normal allocation of books and other items up until the Courtland Road premises close on Saturday. Please ask a member of staff for more details about this.

The new Paignton Library and Information Centre includes the library, a multi-purpose meeting space, a café, a media suite and toilets with a Changing Places toilet facility. It will also provide centralised facilities for a number of agencies including Connections, adult and community learning and, at a later date, community police.