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The PPL provides a quiet, comfortable and friendly setting for members who can read and borrow from our extensive collection. The Library houses some of the oldest and rarest books in Devon right through to modern bestselling novels. In addition to biographies and a maritime collection, there is a classic crime section and works on the local history of Devon, particularly Plymouth.

The Library also holds a series of events throughout the year including talks, coffee mornings, plays, a book club and a watercolour society. We look forward to welcoming you here.

Talk - Atlantic Challenge 2024

Wednesday 24th April at 2pm.

£4 for members. £8 for non-members.

The Atlantic Challenge is a seamanship contest in which twenty young people work to win their races and competitions for their country. Contest events include traditional rowing sailing races, as well as events more specific to Atlantic Challenge, such as the oars and sails race, passage race, man overboard, rudderless slalom and jackstay transfer. Crews from each nation are also tested in their ability to navigate and undertake ropework.

Chloe Beer (speaker) had been selected to compete for team GB in the Atlantic Challenge to be held in Belfast Maine, USA during the summer. Unfortunately, due to the challenges of raising sufficient fundong, Great Britain have decided to withdraw from the contest. However, Chloe has kindly agrees to discuss her training and preparation, and talk more about the contest.

Poetry@thePPL (part of the Plymouth Poetry Festival)

A special Plymouth Poetry Festival edition of Poetry@thePPL with a headline set from Ella Frears and support from Kate Kreke!

Thursday 25th April at 7.30pm (doors open 7pm).

Open mic slots available.

Pay what you can (see right).

Tickets can be reserved in advance here.

Ella Frears has had poetry published in the London Review of Books, the Poetry Review, Poetry London, the Guardian, The Telegraph, Ambit, The Rialto, and the Moth among others. In 2019, she was one of the four finalists for the Arts Foundation Fellowship in Poetry and was commended in the National Poetry Competition.

Talk - The PPL: A Local History

hotham place shop Thursday 9th May at 2pm. (Note the change of date)

£4 for members. £8 for non-members.

The Plymouth Proprietary Library only moved to St Barnabas Terrace in 2018 but what is the history of the area of which it is now part?

Join local historian Richard Fisher for an illustrated exploration of the local area.

Image: Hotham Place c.1900.

Coffee Morning

Regular coffee mornings are held on the second Saturday of each month between 10.30am and 12.30pm and are open to all. So why not join us for good coffee, good cakes (homemade) and good company - you will be made very welcome.

The next coffee morning will be held on Saturday 11th May: 10.30am - 12.30pm. Cost: £4.

17th Century Book Donation

Fisher1 The PPL is pleased to announce a new acquisition: A Prophecy of Perillous Times published by the 'Parliamentary' Preacher, Rev. Thomas Willes in 1656 and tells of perious times during the English Civil War.

Fisher2 There is a lot to discover within this generous donation as it has handwritten English, Latin and Greek annotations throughout.

This book will remain with the Plymouth Proprietary Library in perpetuity as we continue to develop our archives and rare book collection.

Latin Group

First Monday of the month: 10.15am - 12.15pm.

£2 for members. £4 for non-members.

Anybody with an interest in language, at whatever level, will enjoy both the ambience and the journey of a carefully paced introduction to the Latin language.

It is estimated that 30% of English words have Latin roots and there are about 51,000 Latin-origin words in English. Why not join us to find out more.

Book Club

Sheridan The Book Club meets on the first Monday of the month when members get a chance to read and discuss last month's set book. Cost £2.

Copies of the book are supplied to members who’d like to join us to discuss the book over a cup of tea or coffee.

Watercolour Group

watercolours

Every first and third Wednesday of the month: 1.30pm - 3.30pm

The Group is run by the Plymouth Watercolour Society.

It costs £4 for Plymouth Watercolour Society members and £2 for PPL members. There is a charge of £5 for those wishing to try it and a member of neither. Materials provided if necessary and informal tuition for beginners.

More details from Robert Turner on 07938 722710.

Writing Group

Every first and third Friday of the month: 10.30am - 12.30pm.

£2 for members. £4 for non-members.

The Writing Group is open to anyone and is hosted by our trustee James Bridgwater. For more details beforehand, e-mail James at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or go to his website.

If anyone is interested in doing an accredited course, please also contact James.

History of Art Group

History of Art The fourth Monday of every month: 1.30pm - 3.30pm.

Exploring art movements with artists of all genres and their techniques.

In 2024 the group will be taking 'The Grand Tour', starting with the early 1600's and then moving forward. Artists of various nationalities will be researched including those no longer in fashion as well as the art of the female painter. We will consider what influence the foreign art brought to Britain such as architecture, garden design and fashion.

You do not need to be an expert on art to be a member: an interest in learning more about art is the only qualification.

Membership of the U3A is a requirement for attendance as this group is not run by the PPL. The cost is £4.00 per session.

Click on the following link for more information about joining the U3A https://www.plymouthu3a.org.uk/new-member-application/