Last Thursday (April 7), Okehampton’s mayor Bob Tolley presented the Friends of Okehampton Library with a cheque for over £300 to help the library improve its children’s section.

In a small ceremony, Cllr Tolley, on behalf of the town council, presented the cheque for £370.48 which will help the libary set up a sensory area in the children’s section.

Treasurer of the Friends of Okehampton Library, Marc Woolacott, said: ‘All the money that the Friends raise goes back into this library as opposed to donations to Libraries Unlimited which gets shared around.

‘This grant allow us not to have to use our money, it allows us to get things that we probably couldn’t afford or take too long to get. This money is a big help for getting the bigger things done.’

The library already has a small sensory area with a tent, cushions and soft toys, but it wishes to add extra items, including a sensory mat, scarves and bells.

Library supervisor Carole Cornwall, said: ‘We already have a small tent [for the children]. We’re getting a sensory rug, scarves and bells and other things. It will allow the children to experience different things. It’s to appeal to everybody, like if a child has autism.

‘Having a sensory mat and cushions there will create a quiet space for children if they need it.’

The Friends of Okehampton Library have been particular champions of the library’s children’s area, highlighting the importance of reading to children and the impact it has on their understanding of the world.

Jenny Bealing, chairperson of the Friends of Okehampton Library, said: ‘It shows them what’s available. I was lucky, my parents had books in the house and I was able to give them to my children as well. But I can remember a little girl coming around to tea and looking at my bookshelf in the sitting room. She looked and said “Oh, your house is like a library!” I took a very deep breath.

‘Over the years of growing up as a teenager and being a babysitter, the number of houses I went into where there were no books even for the children. So, I used to take my own books to read to the children.

‘That’s why books are so important for children. If you let your child read, they can find so many worlds, and they can be challenged. They will see something and then hopefully they will question it. And that to me is what books are all about – they lead you on such wonderful journeys.’

The money will also go towards improving the lighting during children’s events. Most recently, the library introduced free baby self-weigh services during the Bounce and Rhyme play sessions.