OKEHAMPTON Library has been recognised for its fantastic work as Devon Libraries scooped a prestigious national award.

Having won the prestigious Library of the Year title at the Bookseller Industry Awards in London last month, Devon County Council's cabinet member for communities Cllr Roger Croad has been touring libraries in the county to thank staff for their hard work. He visited Okehampton Library on Friday to thank the team for their efforts.

Cllr Croad said: 'It's a huge honour for us to win this major national award, and I am delighted that the hard work we have put in to developing new and leading edge services in response to our local communities' needs have been recognised in this way.

'The success our library service has enjoyed during this past year is down to the excellent team of staff we have both in our libraries and mobile libraries, and back at library HQ.

'Their passion and commitment ensures our library service is playing a key role in developing a love of reading in people of all ages; enabling those affected by unemployment and ill-health to access information services for free and supporting our communities to live happier, healthier lives.

'This award is an excellent tribute to their enthusiasm and determination, and it will be an enormous privilege to share with the staff the positive feedback on a service that I know we all care so passionately about.'

The award can be given to a single library or an entire library service, and Devon Libraries was one of only seven from across the UK to be shortlisted. It shares the accolade with Dundee Library Service.

Judges praised the huge range of services Devon Libraries offers beyond books, describing it as a 'well run, well backed service', and a 'real community service with a strategic county wide approach'.

They were also impressed that despite a tough couple of years with significant budget reductions, the service managed to increase visitor numbers and loan figures.