The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council has welcomed Newcastle’s new city centre library as a beacon of inspiration for library services across England at the completion ceremony today.
The new library, one of the biggest in the country, will officially open in June and includes an observation tower with stunning views across the city.
Andrew Motion MLA chairman, and guest of honour, thanked Newcastle City Council for inviting him to celebrate completion of the building work at the library and said: "Newcastle’s new public library is both a beacon – sending out messages about the multitude of vital services that a first-class modern library offers – and a magnet, attracting every part of the community in a great city to share in the benefits that it provides.
"It is a place to delve into the self, and a place to extend the self: exemplary, heart-warming and inspirational."
The library has been completely rebuilt thanks to the generous support of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, on the site of the former library in Princess Square, in a £40.2m PFI project (Private Finance Initiative).
It includes a 180-seat performance space, displays of local heritage treasures, a creche, a café, internet access and meeting rooms for community groups. The viewing platform is reached via a main central staircase which draws visitors up to the top of the building.
Barbara Follett, Minister for Culture, Creative Industries and Tourism said: "Newcastle's new central library is everything that a modern, city-centre library should be and I welcome the completion of this beautiful and uplifting space. It will provide a home for a broad range of services as well as places for people to meet, learn and enjoy themselves.
"Culture plays a vital role in any thriving centre and this new library is a testament to the vision of Newcastle City Council. I hope that it will be a source of inspiration for all its communities for many, many years to come."
Roy Clare MLA Chief Executive, who was also at the handover, said: "This is a public library built to make a statement at the heart of Newcastle that says ‘books and reading are at the core of a great city’. The completion of the brand new library is a superb milestone for Newcastle and an inspiration for the other 148 library authorities in England.
"When it opens to the public visitors will find a wide range of books and reference resources, digital materials and access to archive collections and a building that speaks of style, learning, confidence and a warm welcome."
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Notes to editor:
- The MLA is government's agency for museums, libraries and archives. Leading strategically, we promote best practice to inspire innovative, integrated and sustainable services for all. Visit www.mla.gov.uk
- For CIPFA statistics on UK libraries http://www.cipfastats.net/