Jesmond Library is a public library in Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne, England, built in 1963. It is a Grade II listed building.[1] Since 2013 it has been run by Friends of Jesmond Library, a group of local volunteers.
| Jesmond Library | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Status | Grade II listed |
| Location | Jesmond |
| Address | St George's Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 2DL |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 54°59′35.740″N 1°36′23.040″W / 54.99326111°N 1.60640000°W grid reference NZ 25281 66590 |
| Completed | 1963 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Harry Faulkner-Brown |
| Website | |
| jesmondlibrary | |
Description edit
The building, designed by Harry Faulkner Brown of Williamson, Faulkner, Brown and Partners, was erected in 1962–63. It was awarded the RIBA Bronze Medal in 1965. Situated on a corner site, the lending area, connected to a two-storey administrative block, is a small circular building with a steel frame painted black, windows above precast panels of pink granite aggregate, and a flat roof. The external windows and panels have a sawtooth arrangement.[1]
Closure and re-opening edit
After a budget review, Newcastle City Council decided to reduce the number of libraries in the city, and announced in March 2013 that Jesmond Library would be closed. Subsequently, a group of local residents formed Friends of Jesmond Library, to oppose the closure, and with a contingency plan for volunteers to run the library. The library closed on 29 July 2013, and was re-opened by Friends of Jesmond Library, a limited company and a registered charity, on 21 September 2013.[2][3]
The Council remains the owner of the building, and a 20-year lease with the council was signed on 1 July 2016. The number of library volunteers in 2017 was about 90. At the suggestion of local residents, the library is also a community hub.[2][3]
References edit
- ^ a b Historic England. "Jesmond Branch Library (1323708)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ a b "About us" Jesmond Library. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ a b Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (5 September 2017). "Case study. Community managed libraries: Jesmond library, Newcastle, North East" GOV.UK. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
External links edit
Media related to Jesmond Library at Wikimedia Commons
