Blaydon Library reopens with extended offer for all the family
Blaydon Library reopened on Monday 18 August with an extended offer for every member of the family, including new support services and a transformed children's area with the help of local author Gemma Koomen.
Blaydon is the fourth and final library to have been refurbished as part of the council's Transforming Libraries project, thanks to funding from the UK government's Shared Prosperity Fund.
The new look library will welcome communities to benefit from its brighter, fresher space, improved heating and brand-new flooring. Bespoke shelving and furniture have also been installed, as well as new dedicated 'pods' to for small groups to use for catching up, meetings or study spaces.
In another significant improvement to the library, Citizen's Advice Gateshead (CAG) will have their own offices on site, making it easier for residents living in the west to access the charity's array of support closer to home. CAG Advisers will be available from Monday to Friday to tell you if you're missing out on financial support or lower energy tariffs, as well as to give confidential employment, housing and relationship advice.
Younger members, schools and families will be welcomed back with a transformed children's area, showcasing the beautiful work of local author and illustrator, Gemma Koomen.
This new space, which includes 'hideout nooks', will inspire young people to spend time at the library to relax, socialise, and study. Teenagers will also get their own dedicated section of the library, offering an area to spend time with and make new friends in the community, as well as a place to study both independently and in groups.
Councillor Angela Douglas, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Tourism, said: "As our final library to be transformed with funding from the government's Shared Prosperity Fund, Blaydon's reopening marks the time to celebrate such an amazing project for our communities.
"The refurbished library will showcase exactly what we can achieve by adopting a place-based working approach in Gateshead. Combining the life-changing range of support from Citizens Advice Gateshead with the offer of wellbeing activities and essential resources all under one roof, Blaydon Library will have more than offer to our communities than ever before.
"If you still think libraries are a dull place for silence and reading, think again - they're the beating heart of our communities, and now is the perfect time to discover about what they offer, from support and advice to learning new skills and making new friends in your area."
Judith Wood-Archer, Service Delivery Director at Citizens Advice Gateshead, said:"We're incredibly proud of the range of support we offer to Gateshead residents, which has gone from strength to strength in recent months as our service expands across the borough.
"Continuing this fantastic relationship with the council, we are pleased to be offering advice and support from Blaydon Library, meaning that our offer is even more accessible to residents, while being situated in a familiar and welcoming space that is so valued by our communities."
Everyone is welcome to visit Blaydon Library to see the improvements from Monday 18 August 2025, and those who are not yet a member is encouraged to register for free and discover all that Gateshead Libraries has to offer.
Become a member to access all Gateshead Libraries for free, as well as a multitude of online resources.
Find out more about the UK Shared Prosperity Fund funded project Transforming Libraries
Blaydon Library reopened on Monday 18 August with an extended offer for every member of the family, including new support services and a transformed children's area with the help of local author Gemma Koomen.
Blaydon is the fourth and final library to have been refurbished as part of the council's Transforming Libraries project, thanks to funding from the UK government's Shared Prosperity Fund.
The new look library will welcome communities to benefit from its brighter, fresher space, improved heating and brand-new flooring. Bespoke shelving and furniture have also been installed, as well as new dedicated 'pods' to for small groups to use for catching up, meetings or study spaces.
In another significant improvement to the library, Citizen's Advice Gateshead (CAG) will have their own offices on site, making it easier for residents living in the west to access the charity's array of support closer to home. CAG Advisers will be available from Monday to Friday to tell you if you're missing out on financial support or lower energy tariffs, as well as to give confidential employment, housing and relationship advice.
Younger members, schools and families will be welcomed back with a transformed children's area, showcasing the beautiful work of local author and illustrator, Gemma Koomen.
This new space, which includes 'hideout nooks', will inspire young people to spend time at the library to relax, socialise, and study. Teenagers will also get their own dedicated section of the library, offering an area to spend time with and make new friends in the community, as well as a place to study both independently and in groups.
Councillor Angela Douglas, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Tourism, said: "As our final library to be transformed with funding from the government's Shared Prosperity Fund, Blaydon's reopening marks the time to celebrate such an amazing project for our communities.
"The refurbished library will showcase exactly what we can achieve by adopting a place-based working approach in Gateshead. Combining the life-changing range of support from Citizens Advice Gateshead with the offer of wellbeing activities and essential resources all under one roof, Blaydon Library will have more than offer to our communities than ever before.
"If you still think libraries are a dull place for silence and reading, think again - they're the beating heart of our communities, and now is the perfect time to discover about what they offer, from support and advice to learning new skills and making new friends in your area."
Judith Wood-Archer, Service Delivery Director at Citizens Advice Gateshead, said:"We're incredibly proud of the range of support we offer to Gateshead residents, which has gone from strength to strength in recent months as our service expands across the borough.
"Continuing this fantastic relationship with the council, we are pleased to be offering advice and support from Blaydon Library, meaning that our offer is even more accessible to residents, while being situated in a familiar and welcoming space that is so valued by our communities."
Everyone is welcome to visit Blaydon Library to see the improvements from Monday 18 August 2025, and those who are not yet a member is encouraged to register for free and discover all that Gateshead Libraries has to offer.
Become a member to access all Gateshead Libraries for free, as well as a multitude of online resources.
Find out more about the UK Shared Prosperity Fund funded project Transforming Libraries
