- Devon. Village centres. 1924-1960s. Library service points. These have not been listed individually but preceded the introduction of branch libraries. The growth was rapid, in 1925: 112 ; 1926: 235; 1929: 364; 1938: 472. They were replaced by travelling libraries in 1960s. Sources: Devon County Library annual reports.
Alphington. Alphington Reading Room. 1896-1904+. Committee Minute book, 1896-1904. DRO 1481A/PG/1/2/1.
Appledore. Appledore Girls' Reading Room. 1893+. Reading room. NDJ 27/04/1893 page 8f: Members of Girl’s reading room have tea at Knapp House.
Appledore. Appledore Hanson Memorial Sailors’ Rest Reading Room. 1910+. Reading room. NDJ 14/07/1910 page 6g: Appledore Hanson Memorial Sailors’ Rest reading room now ‘pleasing’
Barnstaple. Barnstaple Reading Room. 1867+. Reading room. NDJ 21/11/1867 page 8a: Letter on Barnstaple reading room and proposed Working Men’s reading room.
Barnstaple. Barnstaple Working Men’s Reading Room. 1877+. Reading room. Silver Street 1877+. NDJ 11/10/1877 page 5b: Barnstaple Working Mens’ Reading & Coffee Rooms, AGM.
Barnstaple. Commercial Reading Rooms. 1839-1848+. Reading Room. Queen Anne’s Walk 1839. NDJ 05/12/1839 page 3c: Barnstaple – Commercial Reading Rooms next to Queen Anne’s Walk – 70 members. NDJ 21/05/1840 page 3c: AGM of subscribers to Barnstaple Commercial Reading Rooms – 5 daily papers etc. NDJ 13/05/1841 page 2e: AGM of Barnstaple Commercial Rooms with list of newspapers taken. NDJ 26/05/1842 page 3d: AGM Barnstaple Commercial News Rooms – 40 subscribers. NDJ 29/06/1848 page 3e: Barnstaple reading room has daily news of French Revolution
Barnstaple. Cross Street Reading Room. 1844+. Reading room. Cross Street 1844. NDJ /10/1844 page 3a: Reference to library in new Reading and Lecture Room.
Barnstaple. Devon County Library. 1935-1939+. Branch library. The Square 1935-1939+. Opened 1935/6. A. G. Evans, Librarian 1939.
Barnstaple. Municipal Reading Room. 1892-1893. Reading room. NDJ 29/09/1892 page 2a: Barnstaple Town Council discuss Municipal reading room – 50 subscribers at 5/- p.a. NDJ 28/09/1893 page 2b: Reading room discussed by Town Council – number of subscribers down. Cost £30, subs £6.5.0. Closing to provide new school room for Technical & Science School + 8a-b.
Barnstaple. Newport Men’s Reading Room. 1901+. Reading room. NDJ 21/11/1901 page 5e: Mens reading room, Newport opened. NDA 5/12/1901 6a-b: Further report.
Barnstaple. North Devon Athenaeum. 1923-1957+. Reading room and library. The Square 1923. 1923 etc, Listed in Kelly’s directory. NDJ 26/01/1956 page 8g: Letter suggesting a large newspaper reading room. NDJ 10/10/1957 page 8d: North Devon Athenaeum loans 1893 book on Matabeleland war to Lenin State Library in Moscow.
Barnstaple. Pilton Reading Room. 1891+. Reading room. NDJ 26/03/1891 page 5b: Sale of Pilton reading room in occupation of Mrs.Vickery for £161
Barnstaple. Rock Coffee Rooms. 1879+. Reading room. NDJ 30/10/1879 page 4e: Opening of Rock Coffee Rooms in High Street includes reading room
Barnstaple. Saint Mary’s School. 1883+. Reading room. Lower Maudlin Street 1883. NDJ 09/08/1883 page 5a: Rev.C.Geikie establishes a reading room in L.Maudlin Street school in evenings
Barnstaple. Teetotal Reading Room. 1871+. Reading room. NDJ 23/11/1871 page 2b-c: Mayor speaks of his support for teetotal reading room
Barnstaple. Victoria Temperance Hotel. 1919+. Reading room. NDJ 17/07/1919 page 2a: Victoria Temperance Hotel opened as Club for Comrades of the Great War – with reading room
Barnstaple. Volunteers’ Reading Room. 1891+. Reading room. NDJ 10/09/1891: The Volunteers reading room to open for use by local Vols
Barnstaple. YMCA Reading Room. 1890-1891. Reading room. NDJ 02/01/1890 page 5c: Barnstaple YMCA auction off all old periodicals etc. NDJ 03/12/1891: Barnstaple YMCA reading room to be run by Town Council – sub 5/- p.a.
Barnstaple. 1843. Reading room. High Street. NDJ 24/12/1843 page 3a: Letter to Bridge Trust requesting reading room in High Street
Bideford. Bideford Farmers Club. 1861+. Reading room. NDJ 07/11/1861 page 5c: Bideford Farmers Club set up – to have a reading room.
Bideford. Bideford Free Carnegie Library & Reading Rooms. 1905-1974. Public library. New Road, Bideford 1923-1939. Built in 1905 at a cost of £2,000 adjoins the Town Hall, and contains about 6,000 books 1919. Walter George Coleman, Borough Librarian. 1939. NDJ 12/09/1940 page 5d: Major R. Denny forcibly removes 'Peace News' from Library reading room – ordered to return it and apologise.
Bideford. Bideford Reading Room. 1877-1880. Reading room. Quay, near Bridge 1880. NDJ 06/09/1877 page 8b: Free Library movement making fair progress – reading room opened and subs of £100 received. NDJ 04/11/1880 page 8a: Bideford – plans for new rooms at end of Bridge include reading room to face Quay. Free Library movement making fair progress – reading room opened and subs of £100 received
Bideford. Bideford Working Men’s Association. 1842+. Reading room. High Street 1842. NDJ 07/04/1842: Bideford Working Mens Association establish reading room at Mr.Vinson’s in High Street.
Bideford. Griffiths, Thomas. 1858. Reading room. High Street 1858. NDJ 15/04/1858 page 1a,5d: Thomas Griffiths opens reading room in High Street.
Bideford. YMCA. 1896. Reading room. NDJ 18/06/1896 page 8e: Bideford YMCA provides reading room for youth but not likely to last as funds low.
Bishops Nympton. Bishopsnympton Reading Room. 1915-1932. Reading room. NDJ 28/01/1915 page 8b: AGM – has balance of £3. NDJ 14/02/1924 page 8e: AGM to have billiard table in place of bagatelle board. NDJ 28/01/1932 page 5e: AGM.
Bishops Tawton. Bishops Tawton Reading Room. 1889-1918+. Reading room. NDJ 11/07/1889 page 8d: To be erected, paid for by Miss Davie. 32 by 20 feet at South end of village. NDJ 20/11/1919 page 3b: To hold weekly socials for young people. Notes on Bishop's Tawton Reading Room and Davie family, 1985. DRO B541. Notes, by Miss M. Beer of Barnstaple, c.1985. DRO: B541/2. Letter from Paul Davie of Farnham, Surrey to Miss Beer of Barnstaple, concerning Reading Room, Bishop’s Tawton and Davie family, 18 Feb 1985. DRO: B541/4.
Black Torrington. Black Torrington Reading Room. 1913+. Reading room. NDJ 18/09/1913 page 2b: John Risdon leaves his books to village reading room.
Bovey Tracey. Constitutional Club. 1921+. Reading room. 1921 Dec 10. Exeter and Plymouth Gazette. At the Constitutional Club the evening before last a war memorial, placed in the reading room, was unveiled to the memory of members who fell in the war.
Bradninch. Bradninch Guildhall Public Reading Room & Library. 1923-1839+. Listed in Kelly’s directories 1923-1939. 1939. F. Tett, Treasurer and Secretary.
Bradninch. Bradninch Women's Reading Room. 1923-1929+. 1923-1929: 2557-1: : minute book, 1923-1929; list of rules, n.d. DRO 2557Z.
Branscombe. Branscombe Reading Room. Branscombe Parish Council: Miscellaneous papers: Proposed Reading Room. DRO 1037M/LG/8/20.
Bratton Fleming. Bratton Fleming Parish Library. 1888+. Library. NDJ 29/11/1888 page 2f: Meeting of Female Clothing Club & Parish Library.
Bratton Fleming. Bratton Fleming Reading Room. 1900-1907+. Reading room. NDJ 15/11/1900: To establish a reading room. NDJ 03/01/1907 page 5e: Old schoolroom turned into a reading room
Bratton Fleming. Bratton Fleming Village Club and Reading Room. 1914-1919+. Reading room. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. John Barrow hon. sec. Of Men’s Club 1919.
Braunton. Braunton Reading Room. 1858-1898+. Reading Room and library. NDJ 04/02/1858 page 5b: Opens – 50 members @ 5/- p.a. NDA 11.2.1858 5b-c. NDJ 17/02/1870 page 8b: Letter re local societies Bideford Society for Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, reading room at Brunton. NDJ 06/12/1877 page 8c-d. Concert to raise funds for reading room. New reading room near Cross Tree possible. NDJ 10/01/1878 page 5c: Members of reading room meet & decide to make room more welcoming over Winter. NDJ 10/02/1881 page 8c: Library & reading room to be closed through lack of funds. Sub 7/6 p.a. but less than 20 subscribe. NDJ 16/02/1893 page 8e: Concert given to help running costs. NDJ 02/04/1896 page 5e: In desperate need of funds. NDJ 21/10/1897 page 8d: Vicar to start reading room in old parish hall + comment re wastrel youths. NDJ 11/11/1897 page 8c: Meeting to start reading room in village – at Coffee Tavern. NDJ 25/11/1897 page 8b: Reading room in Coffee Tavern to open on Saturday. Quarterly fee 1/- adults, 6d for youths under 16 – 3 daily papers, 1 local & magazines. NDJ 02/12/1897: Opening of reading room. NDJ 27/10/1898 page 8c: Increase daily papers to 5 and gets a piano.
Braunton. Knowle Reading Room. 1904-1905+. Reading room. NDJ 05/05/1904 page 8c: Knowle reading room to be built. NDJ 22/09/1904 page 8b: Opened. NDJ 20/07/1905 page 8c: To be opened as a Free Library – 350 books. NDJ 10.8.1905 5e: Report.
Bridestowe. Bridestowe Reading Room. 1918-1922+. Reading room. 1922 Oct 6. Exeter and Plymouth Gazette. The Reading Room has re-opened for the winter months. Letter in reply to Mr Speiling(?) from L.M. Francis of Bridestowe written on behalf of her/his father, 19 December 1918, saying that Bridestowe would like some war trophies to place in the school or Reading Room and supports this request by recording the contribution made to the war by the people of Bridestowe who were prayed for daily by name in the Parish Church. DRO Fortescue of Castle Hill, Lord Lieutenant of Devon. Correspondence concerning war-trophies 1262M/0/O/LD/132/17.
Brixham. Devon County Library. 1929-1995. Opened 1929.
Brixham. Conservative Club. 1919+. Reading room. Bolton Square 1919. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Includes a reading room.
Brixham. Liberal Club. 1919+. Reading room. Bolton Street 1919. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Includes a reading room.
Broadclyst. Broadclyst Institute and Reading Room. 1914-1919+. Reading room. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Rev Charles F. Whitaker M. A president, Edwin Hayman secretary 1919.
Buckfastleigh. Town Hall and Institute. 1919+. Reading room and library. Bossell Road 1919. 1919. Includes library and reading rooms.
Buckfastleigh. YMCA. 1919+. Reading room. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Includes a reading room.
Buckland Monachorum. Buckland Monachorum Reading Room. 1903-1926+. Reading room. Milton Combe Chapel. The Men's Reading Room was begun by Mrs Hannah Phillips, a tenant of Buckland Abbey and later of Bickham. In 1903, she bought the premises, having previously rented them from Miss Emma Lakeman. Mrs. Phillips provided an annual New Year dinner in the Reading Room, when some 50 men sat down to roast beef and plum pudding. In 1907 she left Devon and sold the Reading Room, together with its contents, to Lady Eliott Drake of Buckland Abbey. In 1914 Lady Eliott Drake had the the Reading Room rebuilt. Old people remember that newspapers were supplied when people could not afford their own. In fact Mrs Phillips continued to send magazines and books, even after she had moved to Oxfordshire. In 1924, Lady Eliott Drake died and in her will, left money on trust for the upkeep of the Reading Room and for 'the benefit of the population of Milton Combe and neighbourhood'. When no longer needed as a Men's Reading Room, the building was used by Milton Combe Football Club. In the Old Chapel, Milton Coombe DRO 346M/T/224-235.
Bucks Mills. Bucks Mills Reading Room. 1862+. Reading room. NDJ 23/01/1862 page 8a: Reading room set up. NDA 13.2.1862 8a-b: Report.
Burrington Burrington Reading Room. 1914+. Reading room. 1914 listed in Kelly’s directory.
Chagford. Chagford Young Liberals League Reading Room. 1911-1912+. Reading room. Account book and papers , 1911 - 1912. DRO 3963M/0/P/1.
Chardstock. Chardstock Reading Room. 1921+. Reading room. 1921 Oct 21. Western Times. During the coming winter, the parish Reading-room will be open every week night, and if funds permit, a billiard table will provided. The season is to be opened with whist drive.
Chittlehamholt. Chittlehamholt Reading Room. 1892+. Reading room. NDJ 17/11/1892 page 3e: Reading room opened for Winter.
Chittlehampton. Chittlehampton Reading Room. 1869-1939+. Reading room. NDJ 21/10/1869 page 8c-d: Reading room presented to village by Mr & Mrs Dore. NDJ 19/12/1889 page 8d: Reading room (ex Girls School Room) fitted up by Captain Fortescue. NDJ 12/10/1893 page 6e: Reopened for Winter months for 4th year. NDJ 13/10/1898 page 8d: Opening for Winter season. NDJ 14/09/1905 page 3d: Reading room to open in Winter. NDJ 02/09/1909 page 2c: Reopened for 21st year. J.H.Manaton caretaker. NDJ 26/01/1911 page 5e: 21st anniversary celebrations. NDJ 07/09/1911 page 2e: Opens for 23rd year –under J.H.Manaton. NDJ 12/09/1912 page 6c: Opens for Winter ‘boon to the young life of the village’. NDJ 09/09/1915 page 2e: Reopened – going for 26 years. NDJ 11/09/1919 page 3e: Reopens – has been used by young but now by men returning from War. NDJ 05/05/1927 page 8c: Opened. NDJ 26/01/1939 page 5d: W. Dean, Secretary for 18 years resigns.
Chittlehampton. Umberleigh Reading Room. 1903-1919+. Reading room. NDJ 17/03/1904 page 2f: Debt on Umberleigh reading room paid by Mrs. Bassett of Watermouth Castle. NDJ 06/11/1919 page 6e: Umberleigh reading room refurbished & re-opened. Correspondence, insurance policy, 1903-1904, concerning the use of a railway carriage at Umberleigh for a reading room. DRO: B472A/PB/15/1-12. Correspondence concerning the use of a railway carriage as a reading room, Umberleigh. DRO: Chittlehampton Parish B472A/PB/16/1-7.
Chulmleigh. Chulmleigh Literary and Scientific Institution. 1896-1922+. Reading Room and library. NDJ 14/05/1896 page 2e: AGM. NDJ 08/04/1897 page 6b: AGM. NDJ 27/10/1898 page 6d. To canvass town for subscriptions to keep it going. NDJ 04/12/1919 page 6a: Sold to C.J.Hannaford who has presented it to town. NDJ 10/02/1921 page 2b: Chulmleigh Literary & Scientific Institute bought by Mr.Hannaford and presented to members. NDJ 24/08/1922 page 2d: Opening of Chulmleigh Literary & Scientific Institute (formerly Church Institute) given by C.J.Hannaford in memory of his son Lt.S.Hannaford, died 5/10/1917.
Clovelly. Clovelly Reading Room and Library. Reading room and library. Clovelly 1919. NDJ 20/11/1873 page 8c: Old school room turned into reading room. Misses Fane of Clovelly Court to run it. NDJ 31/08/1893 page 3a: Concert in aid of reading room funds – a ladies ‘bigophone’ band. Kelly's directory 1919. Reading room with library of about 500 volumes. 1921 Apr 15. Exeter and Plymouth Gazette. The audit of the accounts of the local branch of the National Savings' .Association has taken place at the Reading Room. Document DRO 328A/3/PZ/19.
Collaton St Mary. Collaton St Mary Parish Reading Room. Reading room. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Parish room erected 1912 on land presented by W. M. Singer, Also includes billiard room and concert room.
Colyton. Colyton Social Club and Reading Room. Reading room. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Edward Henry Cuming hon. Sec. 1919.
Combe Martin. Combe Martin Reading Room. Reading Room and library. NDJ 09/11/1871 page 5d: 200 attend concert to raise funds. NDJ 22/11/1877 page 5d: New reading room opened in National School. NDJ 29/01/1891 page 2e: Rules decided on. NDJ 09/04/1891 page 8e: Old Refreshment Rooms taken as reading room & Library. NDJ 12/10/1893 page 8d: To reopen reading room. NDJ 18/10/1894 page 8f: Opened for Winter – details of expenditure.
Cotleigh. Cotleigh Reading Room. 1935-1947: Cotleigh Parish Council. Reading room minutes and balance sheets, 1935-1947. DRO 7701A.
Crediton. Crediton District Constitutional Club. Reading room. Searle Street 1919. 1919. A new building erected in connection with the Town Hall, with reading, card and billiard room, bar and skittle alley. 300 members 1919.
Cullompton. Devon County Library. Opened 1938/9.
Dalwood. Dalwood Reading Room, Library and Institute Reading room and library. 1914 listed in Kelly’s directory.
Dartington. Dartington Hall. Library. Report to the Trustees on the Economics of the Arts Department, 1945, mentions Library and Reading Room. DRO: T/AA/2/A/4
Dartmouth. Constitutional Club. Reading room. Victoria Road 1919. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Formed in 1884. Contains reading, lecture, smoking and two billiard rooms. 150 members 1919.
Dartmouth. Dartmouth Free Library & Reading Room. Victoria Road 1923.
Dartmouth. Dartmouth Free Library and Reading Room. Reading room and library. Fairfax Place 1914; Victoria Road 1919.
Dartmouth. Devon County Library. Opened 1936/7.
Dartmouth. Liberal Club. Reading room. Victoria Road 1919. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Contains reading, recreation and billiard rooms. 150 members 1919.
Dawlish. Devon County Library. Branch library. Opened 1931.
Dawlish. Library and Reading Rooms. Reading room and library. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory.
Dean Prior Dean Prior Reading Room. Reading room. 1914 listed in Kelly’s directory.
Drewsteignton. Drewsteignton Reading Room. Reading room. 1923 Apr 6. Exeter and Plymouth Gazette. The Reading Room Club, which is such a boon for the young men of the village during the winter, has been closed for the summer months.
East Allington. East Allington Reading Room. Reading room. 1914-1919. A reading room with kitchen attached for cooking classes in connection with the school was erected in 1898 by Lord Ashcombe. John Brown secretary 1919.
Escot. Escot Village Club and Reading Room. Reading room. 1914-1919. Alfred Blackmore hon. Sec. 1919.
Exbourne. Village Hall. Reading room. Exbourne 1919. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Opened 1897, serves as reading and recreation room for the Village Club.
Exeter. Constitutional Club. News room. Corner of Bedford and Catherine streets. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Erected in 1883 of Wellington pressed bricks with beer stone dressings in the French Renaissance style from designs by Mr Edward Webb A.R.I.B.A., architect of Exeter and Barnstaple. The principal entrance is from Bedford Street and the club contains: on the basement floor a buffet, cellars and offices; on the ground floor the Secretary's office, bar, stewards' and visitors' rooms etc with three spacious shops; on the first floor a spacious meeting room, coffee and newsrooms; on the second floor two billiard rooms with card and smoking rooms and on the third floor kitchen, scullery, cooks pantry, bathroom and four bedrooms.
Exeter. Devon and Exeter institution. Reading room and library. The Close 1919. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Established in 1813 has a library containing upwards of 40,000 volumes. The premises include a reading room as well as writing and smoking rooms and a ladies' room.
Exeter. Devon County Library Headquarters.
Exeter. Devon Record Office. Archive. Castle Street 1977-2005 ; Great Moor House 2005-2023+. 2005?: Powerpoint presentation by John Draisey and Kevin Presland, named "The twenty-first century archive reading room: specifications for the public spaces at the Devon Record Office, " DRO: 8339C.
Exeter. Devonshire Liberal Club. Reading and news rooms. Market Street 1919. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Established in January 1890 occupies premises in Market Street consisting of a large room for meetings etc reading, news and smoking rooms.
Exeter. Exeter Literary Society. Reading room and library. 25 Southernhay East 1919. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. The Exeter Literary Society, established 1841, has reading rooms and a library of 12,000 volumes. The society provides lectures and entertainments during the season.
Exeter. Exeter Young Men's Christian Association. Reading room. King's Lodge, High Street 1919. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Has a building which comprises a lecture hall and classrooms, parlour, reading, writing and recreation rooms, gymnasium, secretary's and other offices.
Exeter. Medical [Library]. Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Southernhay East. 1923. 1923 listed in Kelly’s directory.
Exeter. Royal Albert Memorial Library and Reading Room. Reading room and library. Museum Building, Queen Street 1870-1923. By November 1862, the intention was to construct, in memory of the late Prince Consort, a museum, public reading room and library, as well as accommodation for the School of Art which had been established in the city in 1855, and for a School of Science, which was ultimately founded in the following year, 1863. DRO: Exeter City Archives ECA/1/11. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. The Royal Albert Memorial University College, Museum and City Library. Founded in 1869, contains the University College founded in 1893, the Museum, the City Library and a reading room. The library comprises a general reference library, the Fisher reference library bequeathed in 1897 by Mrs E. Fisher of Newton Abbot, the Brooking Rowe Library bequeathed in 1908 by J. Brooking Rowe of Plympton, the Kent Kingdom Bequest presented and endowed by the late King Kent Kingdon, special collections of books on Devonshire, heraldry, genealogy, shorthand etc and a Lending Library and general reading room. City librarian H. Tapley-Soper F.L.A., F. R. Hist. S.
Exeter. Western Times Co. Ltd. Newspaper. 160 Sidwell Street. 1955/1970: Plan, elevations and a section of the proposed readers' room, alterations to existing window of the proposed reading room. DRO: Records of R.M. Challice and Son, Architects.
Exmouth Exmouth Church Institute and reading Room. Reading room. Rolle Street 1914-1919. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Erected in 1886/7 at a cost of £1,300, comprises reading, recreation, class and caretaker's rooms on the ground floor and a large lecture room above, seating 300 persons. There is a small library attached. Rev. Francis Julian Dyson M.A. hon. sec. 1919.
Exmouth Young Men's Christian Association. Reading room and library. Victoria Road 1914-1919. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. A local branch was formed in 1889. The building contains reading room, billiard room, reference library, recreation and lecture rooms and a good gymnasium.
Exmouth. Devon County Library. Branch library. Opened 1946.
Feniton. Feniton Reading Room. Reading room. 1921 Oct 14. Western Times. A meeting was held the Parish Room on Monday evening to consider the reopening of the Reading Room. It was decided reopen on Tuesday. The balance sheet showed balance in hand of just over £5. 1923 Mar 23. Exeter and Plymouth Gazette. A meeting was held in the Reading-room, over which Mr. J. A. Reed presided, to arrange tihe opening of the new Parish Hall, which is nearing completion.
Goodleigh. Goodleigh Reading Room. 1890-1894. Reading Room and library. NDJ 18/12/1890 page 2a: Goodleigh reading room opened by Mr & Miss Dudley and rector. NDJ 04/10/1894 page 8e: Goodleigh parish library, opened 3 years ago, open for Winter season.
Great Torrington. Torrington Conservative Reading Room. Reading room. Market Hall 1877. NDJ 17/05/1877 page 2a: Torrington Conservative reading room in Market Hall locked by caretaker John Hellings of Well Street tailor after he was sacked.
Great Torrington. Conservative and Constitutional Club and Working Men’s Association and Reading Room. Reading room. South Street 1919. 1919. H. Blatchford hon. Sec. 1919.
Great Torrington. Devon County Library. 1936-2023+. Branch library. Opened 1936/7.
Great Torrington. Free Institute. 1891-1919+. Reading room and library. Halsdon Terrace 1919. NDJ 12/12/1889 page 6a: Torrington - reading room to be established in Halsdon Terrace. NDJ 09/01/1890 page 8c: Large house at N end of Halsdon Terrace taken as reading room & Free Library. NDJ 05/06/1890 page 8e: Torrington Town Council & Town & Alms Land Trustees meet, £40 to Free Library & reading room. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Opened 1891, with a library of 1,500 volumes and reading rooms.
Harberton. Harberton Constitutional Reading Room. Reading room. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Frederick Blight hon. sec. 1919.
Hartland. Hartland Reading Room. Reading room. NDJ 25/04/1867 page 6a-b: Hartland reading room opens. NDJ 02/05/1867 8b: 100 books in library.
Hatherleigh. Hatherleigh & District Constitutional Club. Reading room. Bridge Street 1923. 1923 listed in Kelly’s directory.
Hatherleigh. Hatherleigh and District Working Men's Constitutional Club. Reading room and library. Bridge Street 1919. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Built by the late E.J. Oldham, contains a library, reading room and a billiard room. There are 100 members in 1919.
Heanton Punchardon. Heanton Punchardon Reading Room. Reading room. NDJ 13/09/1923 page 8d: Committee of Heanton Punchardon War Memorial add reading room to their Club.
Heanton Punchardon. Wrafton Reading room. Reading room. NDJ 29/11/1883 page 8c: Wrafton, rector opens reading room in large barn, doubles as Sunday School.
High Bickington. High Bickington Reading Room. Reading room. NDJ 28/05/1896 page 8e: Bickington reading room established by J.Doxford, 30 members, 1d per week. NDJ 04/12/1902 page 8f: New reading room opened. NDJ 21/10/1912 page 8b: Site obtained for new recreation & Reading Room.
Holsworthy. Holsworthy Reading Room. Reading room. NDJ 18/11/1880 page 2c: Holsworthy reading room established in Bodmin Road. S.Parsons secretary. 12/- p.a. subscriptions.
Honiton. Honiton Club and Reading Room. Reading room. Rules and regulations, undated. DRO 1037M/SS/2/2/1
Ilfracombe. Our Boys Institute. Reading room. Lee Place 1914-1919. 1914-1919 Established 1881 comprises a reading room, gymnasium etc.
Ilfracombe. Belgrave Hotel Reading Room. Reading room. NDJ 06/11/1884 page 5e: Conservatives open reading room at Belgrave Hotel.
Ilfracombe. Bideford Society for Diffusion of Useful Knowledge Reading room. NDJ 17/02/1870 page 8b: Letter re local societies, Bideford Society for Diffusion of Useful Knowledge maintained reading room at Ilfracombe.
Ilfracombe. Commercial Reading Room. Reading Room. NDJ 06/04/1854 page 8c: Ilfracombe Commercial reading room established 6 months, problems with subscriptions. NDA 20/04/1854 page 8c: Now in a healthy state. NDJ 14/12/1854 page 8b: Times newspaper arrives on evening of publication.
Ilfracombe. Devon County Library. Branch library.
Ilfracombe. Ilfracombe Hotel. Reading room and library. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Includes a library and reading, smoking and billiard rooms.
Ilfracombe. Ilfracombe Working Men’s Club. Reading Room and library. NDJ 20/09/1860 page 5d: Ilfracombe reading room for Working Men to be opened at Saints Philip & James church. NDA 07/05/1863: Public meeting on need for new Public Reading Room. NDA 19/11/1863 page 8e: Ilfracombe Working Mens Club to open, books and newspapers supplied. NDA 15/09/1864 page 8b: Ilfracombe Working Mens Club has books and papers. NDJ 11/10/1883 page 8e: Club in difficulties, library provided. NDJ 20/12/1883 page 6e: Club fund raiser.
Ilfracombe. Sailors’ Reading Room. Reading room. NDJ 25/01/1877 page 5d: Ilfracombe reading room for use of sailors established on Quay. Open 9 am – 10 pm.
Ilfracombe. Slade Reading Room. Reading room. NDJ 14/10/1897 page 7f: Slade reading room opened for Winter months by vicar.
Ilfracombe. Volunteer Artillery Corps Reading Room. Reading room. NDJ 16/12/1875 page 8e: Reading Room for Volunteer Artillery Corps established in house in Portland Square lately occupied by Mr.Harrison jeweller.
Ilfracombe. Reading room. NDJ 02/10/1884 page 6d: Moves to establish a coffee house/reading room at higher end of town.
Instow. Reading room. NDJ 21/06/1849 page 7b: Letter on possible reading room at Instow.
Inwardleigh. Inwardleigh Parish Reading Room. Reading room. 1921 Dec 9. Western Times. Letter to the editor on grant from the United Services Fund.
Ipplepen. Ipplepen Reading Room. Reading room. EPG 1921 Feb 11. Exeter and Plymouth Gazette. That the village Reading Room has become more popular than ever was exemplified by the good attendance at a whist drive. Brixham Western Guardian 28/10/1920: Promises to be more used than at any time during the 36 years it has been opened. Ipplepen Reading Room. WT 15/07/1921. Presentation, a large number of members assembled.
Ivybridge Ivybridge Constitution Club, Reading Room and library. Ivybridge Institution, Reading Room and library (the same?) Reading room and library. 1914 listed in Kelly’s directory.
Kenn Kenn Reading Room. 1878-1919+. Reading room and library. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Erected 1878 by the Rev. Reginald Porter, M.A. rector 1858-94, comprises reading and games rooms with small billiard and bagatelle tables, there is also a library of about 400 volumes with an attached skittle alley. There are about 50 members. Rev. Frank Whitaker Vining, M.A. president; Hugh March-Phillips, sec. 1919. Manuscript history of reading room, 1878 - 1895. DRO 2668A/PG/14, rules, c1905. DRO 2668A/PG/5. Kenn Reading room.
Kentisbeare Kentisbeare Reading Room and Library. 1914-1919+. Reading room and library. 1914-1919. William James, hon. Sec. 1919.
Kentisbeare. Kentisbeare Reading Room and Library. 1923-1939+. Reading room and library. Kentisbeare, Cullompton 1923-1939. 1923-1939 listed in Kelly’s directories. William A. Lane, Hon. Sec. 1939. Report and valuation on reading room and adjoining garden, Fore Street, Kentisbeare, 2nd November 1993. DRO 5537F.
Kingsbridge. Devon County Library. Branch library. Opened 1936/7.
Kingsbridge. Kingsbridge and South Hams Constitutional Club. Reading room. Near the Quay 1919. 1919. Established in June 1887, the building includes reading, billiard, smoking and writing rooms, and was opened on the 6th January, 1888; it is managed by a committee of nine members.
Kingsnympton. Kingsnympton Reading Room. Reading room. 13/03/1890 page 2e Kingsnympton – Mr.Friendship opens room in his house fitted up as reading room – 100 attend opening
Kingston Kingston Reading Room. Reading room. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Harry Truscott, sec. 1919.
Lamerton Lamerton Reading Room. 1900-19939+. Reading room. 1914-1939. Erected by the Rev. J.H.B. and Mrs. Wollocombe on a site presented by Viscount Ebrington, and opened Jan. 1st 1900. Herbert Southcott, Hon. Sec. 1939.
Landkey. Landkey Reading Room. Reading room. 11/04/1907 page 6g Landkey – to get new reading room + 18.4.1907 8a + 2.5.1907 8f6.6.1907 2f Combe Martin– meeting to replace temporary reading room with permanent one
Landkey. Landkey Reading Room. Reading room. 31/10/1907 page 8e Landkey – reading room attracts 80 members
Langtree. Church Room and Men’s Club. 1912-1919+. Reading room. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Erected in 1912, has reading and billiard rooms and a miniature rife range. It is vested in the hands of the rector and churchwardens. Rev. B. Hallowes M.A. sec. 1919.
Langtree. Langtree Reading Room. Reading room. 1883+. 22/11/1883 page 8d Langtree reading room set up by Rev.H.Barnes in parish school – its library used + bagatelle & draughts
Lifton Lifton Literary Institute and Reading Room. Reading room. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Established 1881 comprises a reading room, gymnasium etc. 1919. William Raymond hon. sec. 1919.
Loddiswell Loddiswell Reading Room. Reading room. near the church 1914-1919. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Opened in 1900.
Lustleigh. Reading Room. 1918/12/18: Letter to Lord Fortescue from C. Hayter-Hames of Chagford, 19 December 1918: Moretonhampstead would like to have a machine gun to place in their free library and that Lustleigh would like to have some remembrance of the war for their reading room as they suffered a high casualty rate. DRO Fortescue of Castle Hill, Lord Lieutenant of Devon. Correspondence concerning war-trophies 1262M/0/O/LD/132/16.
Lustleigh. Reading rooms. Reading room. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Albert Vanstone hon. Sec. 1919.
Lympstone. Lord Roberts’ Institute. Reading room and library. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Lord Roberts’ Institute was built in 1907 by Mrs. and Miss Cox, of Highcliff, for the use of the fishermen of Lympstone. Here is a lending library, open during the winter months.
Lympstone. Lympstone Lending [Library]. Lympstone, Exeter 1923. 1923 listed in Kelly’s directories.
Lynmouth Lynmouth Public Reading Room. Reading room. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Isaac More, sec. 1919.
Lynton Lynton Public Reading Room. Reading room. Town Hall 1914-1919. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. James Herad hon sec. 1919, also of Lynton & Lynmouth Men’s Institute, Town Hall.
Lynton. Devon County Library. 1936-2023+. Branch library. Opened 1936/7.
Lynton. Lynmouth Reading Room. 1868-1911+. Reading room. NDJ 03/12/1868 page 5d: Reading room to be built over lifeboat house. NDA 07/01/1869 8d: Report. NDJ 10/03/1870 page 8b: Inauguration of new reading room NDJ 07/07/1870 page 8b: J.Weatherall arranges geology museum in reading room. NDJ 13/01/1881 page 8e: Lecture on electricity – suggestion River Lyn be used for hydroelectric power. NDJ 20/07/1882 page 5e-f: Reference to reading room at Greer’s ‘Rising Sun’. NDJ 17/09/1891 page 6d: Concert in aid of reading room. Cliff Railway ferries people to it. NDJ 03/11/1892 page 8f: Purchases piano. NDJ 27/07/1911 page 8c: Annual fancy dress ball in aid of reading room to be held. NDJ 28/11/1940 page 3b: Lynmouth Parish Hall set up as Reading/Writing Room for HM Forces.
Lynton. Lynton Reading Room. 1870-1882+. Reading room. NDJ 03/11/1870 page 8b-c: Proposed new reading room at Lynton following success of Lynmouth reading room. NDJ 02/02/1871 page 5c: Lynton reading room in Mr.Crook’s room in his premises. NDJ 02/02/1882 page 8d: Tea in aid of Lynton reading room, 300 attend.
Malborough. Hope Cove Fishermen’s Reading Room. 1908-2023+. Reading room and library. The Fisherman's Reading Room was built in 1908 through Eleanor Appleton to honour the memory of her late husband William Appleton of Grimsby. Built at a cost of £150 on the leased land it was designated for 'reading only', not for commerce, religious or political use, no alcohol could be brought onto the premises and gambling was prohibited. In 1920 the freehold was bought for the Reading Room by its membersand the library survives in 2023. Henry More Trentham for Reading Room at Hope Cove, 1947-1954, DRO 3761R/0/A/183
Malborough. Inner Hope Cove Reading Room. Reading room. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Erected in 1907 by Mrs Appleton.
Malborough. Malborough Reading Room. Reading room. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Built by the Rev. William Thomas Keeling M. A. and rented by the present vicar.
Mary Tavy. Mary Tavy Reading and Recreation Rooms. Reading room and library. 1919. Built in 1912, consist of a library and reading and billiard rooms. Ernest Terrell, hon. Sec. 1919.
Mary Tavy. Mary Tavy Reading Room. Reading room. 1909: Deed of gift, Reading and Recreation Room, 1909. DRO: Mary Tavy Parish 1134A/4/PZ/14.
Merton Merton Reading Room. Reading room. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. George B. Hulland hon. Sec. 1919. 1921 Oct 14. Exeter and Plymouth Gazette. The Reading-room, which has recently been re-opened, is much appreciated, and several new members have joined.
Meshaw. Meshaw Reading Room. Reading room. 27/10/1898 page 3d Meshaw reading room – members allowed to bring ‘a lady friend with him’ – 70 there
Milton Abbot Milton Abbot Working Men's Reading Room. 1914-1919+. Reading room. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. W. Gale sec. 1919. 1964: No. 75. Village hall, reading room and playground at Milton Abbot, 1964. DRO: L1258M/12/VOL6/Devon/Misc/BundleC.
Milton Abbot. Milton Abbot Parish Library. 1914-1919+. Library. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory: Parish library of 300 volumes.
Modbury. Literary and Scientific Institute. Reading room and library. Brownston Street 1919. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Founded by Richard King in 1840 has a good-sided lecture room [no mention of reading room but Alfred H. Salway hon. Sec.; John Hext librarian 1919].
Monkokehampton Monkokehampton Reading Room. Reading room. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. [No further detail].
Moretonhampstead. Bowring Free Library. Public library. Moretonhampstead 1901-1939. 1918/12/18: Letter to Lord Fortescue from C. Hayter-Hames of Chagford, 19 December 1918: Moretonhampstead would like to have a machine gun to place in their free library and that Lustleigh would like to have some remembrance of the war for their reading room as they suffered a high casualty rate. DRO Fortescue of Castle Hill, Lord Lieutenant of Devon. Correspondence concerning war-trophies 1262M/0/O/LD/132/16. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. The gift in 1901 of Sir Thomas Benjamin Bowring includes a reading room and art and technical class rooms. The library contains 3,000 volumes. C. E. Reynolds hon. Librarian 1919. Mrs. Herbert James Reeman, Librarian 1939.
Mortehoe. Mortehoe Reading Room. Reading room. NDJ 14/02/1878 page 8c-d: Letter re reading room and dispute over it – D.Smith signs. NDJ 08/12/1881 page 8c: Holds entertainment to raise funds. NDJ 21/04/1881 page 8b: Annual tea & entertainment. NDJ 19/02/1885 page 8b: Meeting & tea.
Mortehoe. Working Men's Club. Reading room. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. The Club has the use of the Parish Room from October to April, which contains reading, smoking and billiard rooms.
Musbury Musbury Reading Room. 1910-1923+. Reading room. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Established in 1910. Walter John Hare sec. 1919. 1923 Apr 6 Western Times. A presentation to Mr. W. J.Hare, of the Reading Room, was made on Saturday by the President (Mr. W. McKinnel) on behalf of the members.
Newton Abbot. Passmore Edwards Public Library. 1904-2023+. Public library. Bank Street 1923. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Opened Aug. 18, 1904, by Viscount Ebrington, the same day as the Newton Abbot Science, Art and Technical School. The Public Library was presented to the town by J. Passmore Edwards who also laid the foundation stone, Oct.9, 1902. The library in 1919 contained 10,740 volumes. William Maddern, librarian also correspondent to the managers of Wolborough Council Schools & clerk to the Cemetery Committee 1919.
Newton Abbot. Mid-Devon Constitutional Club. Reading room and library. Union Street 1919. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Opened by the 11th Earl of Devon, Oct. 19 1888, contains news, reading, lecture and billiard rooms, also a library.
North Devon. 1873. Reading rooms. NDJ 05/06/1873 page 6c-d: Letter on need for reading rooms in North Devon villages.
North Molton. Social Club. 1881-1919+. Reading room. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. A social club, established in 1881 for the benefit of residents, comprises reading and recreation rooms supplied with daily and weekly papers, and a billiard table. The parochial library contains over 100 volumes.
North Tawton. Reading and recreation room. 1919-1922+. Reading room. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. William Martin sec. 1919. WT 1922 Jan 27: The annual meeting, at which very many members were present, was presided over by the President, Mr. J. C. Pierce, J.P. A most gratifying report on the year's work was presented.
Noss Mayo. Tilly Institute. Reading room and library. Moved from Revelstoke and now serves as Newton and Noss Village Hall. The Tilly Institute is remembered by the Revelstoke Room but no longer houses a library and reading Room.
Oakford Oakford Reading Room. 1911-1922+. Reading room. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Erected in 1911. No information 1919. 1922 Feb 10. Exeter and Plymouth Gazette. The Reading Room has. so far, had a successful winter session. Committee minutes, 1911-1913. DRO 805A.
Okehampton. Literary Institution. Reading room and library. Town Hall, Fore Street 1919. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. The ground floor of the Town Hall contains a small library and reading rooms belonging to the Literary Institution.
Ottery Saint Mary. Church Institute. Reading room. Yonder Street 1919. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Erected in 1896 is a structure of red brick in the Queen Anne style, and comprises class, reading and billiard rooms &c.
Ottery Saint Mary. Devon County Library. Branch library.
Ottery Saint Mary. Ottery St. Mary Library and reading Room. Reading room and library. 1859?: Partnership deed for construction in present market place, Ottery, or a town hall with two rooms and colonnade to serve as Petty Sessions house, Returning Room and other public purposes, a library and reading room and as a Market Place. Edward Ashworth of Exeter, architect. Schedule of subscribers. DRO 1665Z/Z/1.
Paignton. Devon County Library. Branch library. Opened 1935/6.
Paignton. Young Men's Christian Association. Reading room. 22 Palace Avenue 1919. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Erected in 1893 at a cost of about £2,000, comprise reading rooms, a gymnasium and other rooms and are used as a seaside home for young men recovering from illness.
Parracombe. Parracombe Parochial Library. Library. NDJ 10/01/1878 page 8f: New parochial library started by Rev.P.N.Leakey
Parracombe. Parracombe Reading Room. Reading room. NDJ 15/11/1877 page 8a: New reading room opened from 9am to 10 pm. NDJ 03/01/1878 page 8d: Second lecture on ‘popular subjects’ given at reading room by Rev.P.J.Wodehouse. NDJ 10/01/1878 page 8f: Report
Petrockstowe Petrockstowe Reading Room. 1889-1919+. Reading room. NDJ 05/12/1889 page 8e: Collections made to set up non-political reading room. NDJ 08/02/1912 page 8b: Lord Clinton fits up reading room in old White Hart Hotel. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. James Arthur Burton sec. 1919.
Pilton. Working Men's Club and Reading Room. Reading room. NDJ 14/11/1872 page 4f: Church services to be held. NDJ 21/11/1872 page 4d: Townshend Hall resigns because of church services. NDJ 20/11/1873 page 5c: Election of officers & stereoscope presented. NDJ 03/02/1876 page 5d: Pilton Reading Room entertainment, institution is not sectarian. NDJ 30/03/1876: To be closed over Summer months as attendance is very low.
Pinhoe Pinhoe Jubilee Club and Reading Room. Reading room. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. T. Tapley jun. Sec. 1919.
Plymouth. Devonport Free Public Library Reading Room. 77, Station Road 1919. Branch, 3 Onslow Road, Weston Peveral, Charles White in charge 1919, branch 33 Wilton Street, Stoke Damerel. Also 1919.
Plymouth. Devonport Free Public Library. Duke Street, Devonport 1923. 1923 listed in Kelly’s directory.
Plymouth. East Stonehouse Branch Library. Town Hall, East Stonehouse 1923. 1923 listed in Kelly’s directory.
Plymouth. Law Library and Auction Rooms. 5, Princess Square, Plymouth 1919. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory.
Plymouth. Liberal Reading Room, 87 Mutley Plain. Reading room. 1914-1919. William T. Dashper, sec. 1919.
Plymouth. On the pier a bookstall and Reading Room. Reading room. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory.
Plymouth. Plymouth Athenaeum Reading Room. Reading room and library. George and Athenaeum Streets 1919. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. The Athenaeum is the property of the Plymouth Institution and Devon and Cornwall Natural History Society. Erected in 1819, it contains a lecture hall, a valuable scientific library and a spacious museum, and a lending library and general reading room were added in 1901.
Plymouth. Plymouth Cooperative Society Reading Room Reading room. 12 Pym Street, Morice Town 1919. 1919. Edward Dyer Halse, caretaker 1919.
Plymouth. Plymouth Free Public [Library]. Public library. Tavistock Road 1923. 1923 listed in Kelly’s directory.
Plymouth. Plymouth Proprietary Library. Cornwall Street 1923. 1923 listed in Kelly’s directory.
Plymouth. Royal Western Yacht Club. Reading room and library. Hoe 1919. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Established 1827. The club house contains 14 bedrooms, reading, writing, card, smoking and coffee rooms; also a very good library and two billiard rooms.
Plymouth. Seamen's Reading Room. Reading room. Grand Parade 1914-1919. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Also Great Western Docks, Millbay Road 1919.
Plympton. Devon County Library. Opened 1938/9.
Rackenford. Rackenford Reading Room. Reading room. Rackenford Parish: D2018/30 Rackenford reading room/church room committee minutes, 1924-1927. DRO 2984A.
Revelstoke Tilly Institute Reading Room and library. Reading room and library. 1914-1923 listed in Kelly’s directory. Containing about 600 volumes, mostly presented by Lord Revelstoke. William Payne, librarian 1919.
Rousdon Rousdon Reading Room and library. Reading room and library. 1914-1923 listed in Kelly’s directory. Charles H. Freeman, librarian 1919.
Saint Giles-in-the-Wood. Saint Giles-in-the-Wood Reading Room and library. 1867-1926+ Reading room and library. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Containing 300 volumes, opened in 1867 and supported by subscriptions. Richard B. Giles sec. & treasurer 1919. 1923 Fweb 9. Western Times. A whist drive, for the benefit of the caretaker, has been held in the Reading Room. There was fairly good attendance, and a very pleasant evening was spent. NDJ 30/10/1919 page 6d: Whist drive at reading room. NDJ 15/01/1920 page 3a: AGM – small surplus. NDJ 20/01/1921 page 8e: AGM. 1923 listed in Kelly’s directory. NDJ 24/01/1924 page 5e: AGM, reference to billiards. NDJ 25/02/1926 page 7d: Concert in aid of reading room.
Salcombe. Council Hall. Reading room. Market street 1919. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Erected in 1893, contains a large assembly room, seating 250 persons, and reading and recreation rooms.
Salcombe. McIlwraith Free Library. Library and reading room. Cliff House, Cliff Road 1923-1939. 1923-1939 listed in Kelly’s directory. No details 1939.
Sandford. Sandford Reading Room and Club. Reading room. Minute book, 1866-1867. DRO: 1238A/2/PG/1
Saunton. Saunton Reading Room. Reading room. NDJ 31/12/1914 page 6c: Saunton reading room holds dance.
Seaton. Devon County Library. Branch library. Opened 1938/9.
Sidbury Sidbury Reading Room. Reading room. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. A reading room was opened in 1877 by the late Sir Stephen Cave. There is a parochial library of about 300 volumes at the Mission Room.
Sidmouth Sidmouth YWCA and Reading Room. Reading room. High Street 1914-1919. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Opened in 1882
Sidmouth. Church House Free Library. Library and reading room. Sidmouth. 1939 listed in Kelly’s directory. Harvey Brew, Treasurer and Librarian 1939.
Sidmouth. Devon County Library. Branch library. Opened 1932/3.
Silverton Silverton Manor Audit rooms. Reading room. 1914 listed in Kelly’s directory. Used as a club and reading room. 1919. Now used for public entertainments, William Henry Oliver proprietor.
South Molton. South Molton [Library]. Reading room and library. 23 East Street 1923. 1923 listed in Kelly’s directory.
South Molton. South Molton Reading Room. Reading Room. NDJ 14/10/1847 page 3b: South Molton reading room begins, open 10 am to 10 pm, 6/6 per qtr subscription.
South Molton. Temperance Hotel. Reading room. NDJ 16/11/1882 page 8c-d: Old Star Inn opened as Temperance Hotel + reading room.
South Molton. Tucker, William. Reading room and stationer. NDJ 09/11/1854 page 8a: Opening of reading room at Mr. Tucker’s stationery shop, 30 members.
South Molton. Working Men’s Reading Room. Reading room. NDJ 04/01/1883 page 8e: First dinner, 50 members. NDJ 15/02/1883 page 8d: Lectures from Rev.F.King. NDJ 19/07/1883 page 8e: Reading room accounts – dinner to be held. NDJ 29/11/1883 page 8d: Reading room AGM. NDJ 20/03/1884 page 8c: Annual Dinner. NDJ 14/02/1889 page 8e: Annual dinner. Town Council to start a lending library. NDJ 27/06/1889 page 8e: At Filleigh, fete in aid of South Molton Workingmen’s reading room. NDJ 02/01/1890 page 3c: Reading room AGM. NDJ 16/01/1890 8c-d Want larger room. NDJ 27/11/1890 page 3c: Reading room AGM. NDJ 09/07/1891 page 2c: Fete rained off.
South Tawton. Victory Hall. Reading room. 1921 Jul 1. Western Times. South Tawton have received their grant from the United Service Fund (£30 10s). The money is to be used for furnishing the Reading-room for the use of ex-Service men in the Victory Hall.
South Zeal South Zeal Reading Room. 1914-1919+. Reading room. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. William Avery, sec. 1919.
Starcross. Starcross Reading Room. Reading room. 1923 Mar 23. Exeter and Plymouth Gazette. A whist drive has been held in aid of the funds of the Reading Room. The event was well attended. Mr. W. Bridge was the M.C., and Miss Tarter distributed the prizes to the winners.
Sticklepath Sticklepath Reading Room. 1884-1919. Reading room. Sticklepath village hall 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Sticklepath village hall with reading room attached erected in 1884 at a cost of £250.
Stockland Stockland Reading Room. 1914-1919. Reading room. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. John Moore, sec. 1919.
Stoke Fleming. Devon County Library. Branch library.
Stoke Rivers. Stoke Rivers Reading Room. 1920+. Reading room. NDJ 22/01/1920 page 3e: Stoke Rivers, bagatelle contest at reading room.
Stokenham Stokenham Reading Room. 1914-1919. Reading room. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Erected and furnished by A.F.Holdsworth for the use of parishoners. Edward Crimp hon. Sec 1919.
Stoodleigh Stoodleigh village club and Reading Room. 1914-1919. Reading room. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Harry George Hayward sec. 1919
Swimbridge. Swimbridge Reading Room. Reading room. 02/12/1920 page 5g Swimbridge – opening of new reading room at Tannery – from Mr.Evans
Swimbridge. Swimbridge Working Men's Club and Reading Room. Reading room. NDJ 09/11/1871 page 5d: Swimbridge reading room opened by Rev.John Russell. NDJ 07/11/1872 page a-b: Swimbridge Working Men’s Club & reading room – weekly numbers 9-42. Night school to be started three times per week.
Tavistock. Tavistock Subscription Library. 1799-2023+. Subscription library. Abbey Place 1840d; Bedford Square 1844d-1852d ; Abbey Buildings 1923; Court Gate, Guildhall Square 2023. Librarians: William Tapson 1806-19; Samuel Best 1819-29. Thomas Knight 1829-32, William Physick 1832-41, William Merrifield 1841-71. Established 1799. Rules etc. 1839 (DRO Q/S 56/9). Also news rooms 1840d. Over 4,000 volumes 1850d.
Tawstock. Tawstock Reading Room. 1912+. Reading room. NDJ 28/11/1912 page 2e: Reading Room opened, given by Sir Bourchier Wrey.
Teignmouth. Devon County Library. 1933-2023+. Branch library. Opened 1933/4.
Teignmouth. East Devon and Teignmouth Club. Reading room. Sale to close a trust estate, The East Devon and Teignmouth Club with assembly, supper, card, billiard, smoking and reading rooms. Auction by Robert Frost & Son at the Town Hall, Teignmouth on Dev 17th 1907. DRO FOR/B/6/2/226.
Teignmouth. Sailors’ Home and Institute. 1881-1919. Reading room. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. With reading and mission rooms, opened in 1881 and is supported by subscriptions.
Teignmouth. South View Club. 1902-1919. Reading room. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Non-political, established in 1902, occupies premises on the Den, facing the sea, comprising two billiard, reading, smoking, card and other rooms, and has about 100 members; visitors are admitted as temporary members on special terms.
Teignmouth. Teignmouth Temperance Hall, Library & Reading Room. Reading room. 4 Orchard Gardens 1923.
Teignmouth. Temperance Hall. 1879-1919. Reading room and library. 4 Orchard Gardens 1914-1919. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. With library and reading room was opened in 1879 and has a library of over 1,300 volumes, supported chiefly by voluntary subscriptions. Miss Caroline Fry, Hon librarian 1919.
Tipton Saint John. Institute. 1914-1919. Reading room. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. The Institute, erected in 1914 by the late Francis Beck esq. At a cost of £1,000, is used as a reading and recreation room and for church purposes.
Tiverton. Constitutional Club. 1895-1919. Reading room. Bampton Street 1919. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Opened in 1895, a spacious stone building containing two billiard rooms, card and reading rooms, a buffet and steward’s quarters, and has now about 380 members.
Tiverton. Devon County Library. Branch library.
Tiverton. Liberal Club. 1911-1919. Reading room. Bampton Street 1919. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Opened in 1911, contains billiard, card and reading rooms, skittle alley and steward’s quarters, and has about 275 members.
Tiverton. Tiverton Free Library. Library. Memorial Hall, Fore Street 1923. Allen Stanley Mahood, Librarian.
Torquay. Christian Science Society Reading Room. 1919. Reading room. City Chambers 1919. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Also holds services, Sundays 11:30 a.m. & 3 p.m.
Torquay. St Anne's Institute. Reading room. Rules for the reading room, 1905? Torquay, All Saints Parish, Babbacombe. DRO 4470A/1/PG/18
Torquay. St Mark's Hall and parochial Reading Room, Reading room. 7, Park Crescent1914-1919. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Rev. George H. Statham, hon. Sec. & treasurer 1919.
Torquay. Torquay Public Library. Public library. Castle Circus 1923. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Joseph Jones, librarian 1919.
Torquay. Young Women’s Christian Association. Reading room and library. Fleet Street. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Founded in 1867, the present structure of brick was opened in 1881 and has reading ans writing rooms, library and other apartments.
Torquay. Young Women’s Christian Association. Reading room and library. St Marychurch Road. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Houses opened in 1888 and available for 24 boarders; there are also a literary institution and libraries.
Ugborough. Ugborough Reading Room. Reading room. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Leonard Watts, sec. 1919.
Upton Pyne Upton Pyne Club. Reading room and library. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Established 1875 by Rev J.Stafford Northcote, rector 1881-9, for the benefit of the working men of the village comprises a reading room and has also a small library. There are about 30 members who pay a yearly subscription. A school library of about 120 volumes is maintained at the parsonage.
Wembworthy. Wembworthy Reading Room. Reading room. 1921 Nov 18. Western Times. A meeting has been held the Rectory Hall in connection with the Reading Room. It was decided to open it on two evenings during the week.
Werrington Werrington Reading Room with library Reading room and library. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Supported by the resident population.
West Down. West Down Reading Room. Reading room. NDJ 17/11/1898 page 8b: Meeting to establish reading room with ‘innocent games’. NDJ 08/12/1898 page 2d: West Down reading room opened, non-sectarian. NDJ 03/02/1916 page 8c: West Down reading room opened, 29 members.
Westleigh. Westleigh Reading Room. Reading room. NDJ 14/11/1901 page 8b: Reading room opened at Westleigh Congregational chapel. NDJ 09/04/1914 page 3g: Westleigh reading room started a little while ago, 40 members.
Whimple Whimple Reading Room. Reading room. 1914 listed in Kelly’s directory.
Winkleigh Winkleigh Reading Room Reading room. 1914-1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. Supported by subscriptions. 1922 Feb 3. Exeter and Pltmouth Gazette. The Minstrel Party are giving concert to-day to aid the Reading Room, it is to be hoped that good cause will be well patronised. 1922 Feb 17 Exeter and Plymouth Gazette. The annual meeting of the Reading-room Committee has been held, Major Moloney presiding over a good attendance.
Withycombe Raleigh. Withycombe Reading and recreation Room. Reading room. 1919 listed in Kelly’s directory. No further details.
Yealmpton. Yealmpton Institute. Reading room. 1923 listed in Kelly’s directory.
Page last revised 13 December 2023
