Barnstaple Library has opened a brand new creative space including digital and design equipment and a 3D printer.

The FabLab was opened by Libraries Unlimited’s board of trustees chairman Julie Dent CBE, alongside CEO Ciara Eastell OBE.

The new facility came about thanks to funding from Arts Council England and Devon County Council in support of the yearlong Unlimited Potential project.

This initiative aims to introduce creative, animated and engaging experiences for new and existing library users specifically in the North Devon and Torridge area.

Chair of Libraries Unlimited, Julie Dent; Councillors John Mathews and Frank Biederman; chief executive of Libraries Unlimited Ciara Eastell OBE.Chair of Libraries Unlimited, Julie Dent; Councillors John Mathews and Frank Biederman; chief executive of Libraries Unlimited Ciara Eastell OBE.

North Devon District Council also funded the FabLab’s brand new 3D printer.

Ms Eastell said: “I’d like to thank all those who came to support our official opening of our second FabLab at Barnstaple Library.

“This new facility is a fantastic addition to the library’s offering and we hope many will come and see how they can benefit from the new creative community space.

Barnstaple Library's elephant.Barnstaple Library's elephant.

“We also plan to take our mobile FabLab out to more rural communities across the area so that as many people as possible can experience these new facilities.”

FabLab Devon is an open-access community space offering digital and design equipment for anyone to use, invent and make almost anything.

During an open day, a 3D laser cut elephant was created for the library, inspired by the prehistoric artefacts of the rare straight-tusked mammal; Palaeoloxodon antiquus.

Fossils of the rare species were excavated from Summerland Street, just a short walk from Barnstaple Library in February 1844.
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