This is the back of the library. It’s where the main entrance used to be.
The square has been improved considerably. The holes where the trees and bushes used to grow through have been filled in and it’s got seating outside for the cafe. A lot more pleasant than it used to be.
Vast improvement over the 60’s brutalist predecessor. Strangely enough that was not the the orginal library. There was an earlier one in neo-classical style. It was demolished (T. Dan Smith era?), for the 60’s library. I think that’s why the Laing Art Gallery has a seemingly exposed outside wall - where the neo-classical library was originally attached. There is a photo of it on one of the new library’s walls.
On another literary note, there is a New Writing Festival in Newcastle April next year called the INK Festival, they are after short stories. Deadline 31st Jan 2010. Winners will have their piece performed?
http://twitter.com/INKfestival
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=122157721650
Thanks for those links Mike, duly noted! i’d not heard anything about that festival but will keep my eyes open.
I’ll seek out that pic next time i’m in the library too! i had no idea about all that.
From previous comments you will gather that I am not a fan of modern architecture and I was not going to bother visiting the new library but I want to see the picture of the original city library. I can only vaguely remember it from my childhood but I would love to see it again. I wonder if they have pictures of the old Town Hall in the Bigg Market or was it the Cloth Market or the Groat Market or all three?
Oh Alf even though you don’t like modern architecture please do visit, it’s a lovely building to my mind and has such wonderful facilities - and a LOT of books! :)
If I find any pics I’ll report back in the meantime.