The Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) in Exeter will close on 1 December for a £15m refurbishment, reopening in 2010.

During the closure, RAMM will be temporarily housed in the Central Library, featuring a new gallery showcasing a range of objects and hands-on activities from February 2008.

Lead cllr for environment and leisure Connel Boyle said: “The aim of the redevelopment is to improve the quality of the visitor experience, and to encourage learning and enjoyment at all levels.

“While the building is closed, extensive work will be done to reinterpret the collections, improve access and increase understanding, so that people can get the maximum from the collections.

“In the meantime, RAMM will live on out and about in Exeter through a series of exhibitions and activities in various locations, ensuring it’s business as usual.”

The revamped facility will include a new gallery to house larger temporary exhibitions and host nationwide touring shows, a new café, shop and toilets, in addition to a learning suite for visiting school groups.

Funding for the project came from the Heritage Lottery Fund (£9m), Exeter City Council (£5.5m) and the RAMM Development Trust (£1m).