| AdminHistory | The first free public library was opened in Newcastle in 1880 after a long campaign backed by the Weekly Chronicle to get the City to adopt the Public Libraries Act. The building was situated in New Bridge Street, and necessitated the demolition of the 14th century Carliol Tower. In 1884 branch newsrooms were opened in Byker, Elswick and Westgate, using rooms in schools, and the first branch library was opened in Elswick in 1895, the gift of Alderman W H Stephenson. He also built the Victoria Jubilee Library (Heaton) in 1899 and a third branch at Walker in 1909. Benwell, a Carnegie benefaction, also opened in 1909. The fifth branch, Scotswood, was opened in 1927 followed by further branches in the 1930s and subsequently. By 1935 the Central Library was already running out of space and a separate children's room and reading room was opened in Princess Street. An administrative extension also occupied premises in Higham Place. The main building was completely remodelled in 1949. A mobile library service was instituted in 1950. A new Central Library, designed by Sir Basil Spence, was opened in October 1968. |