news
24_01_2011
Sneak preview of Gateshead library revamp
A NEW chapter is set to start in the life of an 84-year-old Tyneside library.
As the finishing touches of a £2.5m makeover were being made to Gateshead Central Library, the Chronicle was given a sneak preview of what book borrowers can expect ahead of January 29 reopening.
Behind-the-scenes shots show how the 1926 building has been extended and improved.
Paintwork gleams as bright lights shine down on the contractors and library staff completing the work, with the last of the 75,000 books set to go in over the next few days.
The redevelopment has also seen the building’s original grand entrance returned to its former splendour.
A bigger and better café, gallery and community space have all been added, with the main lending library and reference library have being completely refurbished.
For younger readers, the new children’s library, housed in a 103 square metre extension to the original building, is one of the largest of its kind in the country, with over 5,000 books for under 11s.
A special teen library has also been created and kitted out with comfortable seats, sofas and a Wii console.
To ensure at least some reading is done, it will house books from Manga comics to vampire chillers and action thrillers, all aimed at enthralling teenagers.
Coun Linda Green, Gateshead Council cabinet member for culture, said: “It’s really great to see the finishing touches being made.
“The whole place is really coming to life now, and I’m sure that library users new and old will be really impressed by the new facilities.”
Funding for the refurbishment has included £2m from the Big Lottery Fund.
Work has been carried out in three phases to allow the library to remain open to the public, but it has been closed since January 8 for the final pieces of the jigsaw to be put in place. A day of events is planned to celebrate January 29’s reopening from 10am to 4pm.
