100 books to mark 100 years
In March 2026, Gateshead Central Library will be marking 100 years at the heart of the community. To celebrate the impressive milestone, the team behind the library have created a centenary book list that includes one popular or influential title published in each year the library has been open.
The team are challenging residents to pick up a copy from the longlist - all of which are available to check out at any of the council's libraries - and give it a go. Readers will be able to reserve books from March onwards and view a special display inspired by the book list at the library's big celebration day on Saturday 7 March.
Starting in 1926 with Winnie the Pooh by AA Milne, the list contains classics from household names like Agatha Christie, Stephen King and F Scott Fitzgerald.
More recent favourites from the likes of Rebecca Yarros, Taylor Jenkins Reid and Richard Osman also make the cut.
Non-fiction lovers will similarly be pleased to see books by Vera Brittain and Walter Lord included.
Not to be left out, younger readers can enjoy favourites like Charlotte's Web, Stig of the Dump and the Little Prince.
And of course, no centenary list would be complete without contributions from local authors Catherine Cookson and Ann Cleeves.
But there's a twist! Eagled-eyed readers will notice the collection currently only contains 99 titles. The library team are asking residents to vote for their favourite book released in 2026 to complete the collection.
Later in the year once more new reads have been published, the library will be releasing a shortlist and hand the final choice over to readers to cast their votes.
Sharing details of the centenary collection, Councillor Angela Douglas, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Tourism, said: "It's been a real labour of love for the Library team pulling the list together. It's been hard to whittle it down to just one book a year.
"We're hoping lots of residents will get involved by picking up a book from the list and voting for the final choice to complete the collection.
"It's particularly exciting that this fun challenge coincides with the National Year of Reading as people of all ages up and down the country are being encouraged to read more."
You can view the list on the library's centenary website.
In March 2026, Gateshead Central Library will be marking 100 years at the heart of the community. To celebrate the impressive milestone, the team behind the library have created a centenary book list that includes one popular or influential title published in each year the library has been open.
The team are challenging residents to pick up a copy from the longlist - all of which are available to check out at any of the council's libraries - and give it a go. Readers will be able to reserve books from March onwards and view a special display inspired by the book list at the library's big celebration day on Saturday 7 March.
Starting in 1926 with Winnie the Pooh by AA Milne, the list contains classics from household names like Agatha Christie, Stephen King and F Scott Fitzgerald.
More recent favourites from the likes of Rebecca Yarros, Taylor Jenkins Reid and Richard Osman also make the cut.
Non-fiction lovers will similarly be pleased to see books by Vera Brittain and Walter Lord included.
Not to be left out, younger readers can enjoy favourites like Charlotte's Web, Stig of the Dump and the Little Prince.
And of course, no centenary list would be complete without contributions from local authors Catherine Cookson and Ann Cleeves.
But there's a twist! Eagled-eyed readers will notice the collection currently only contains 99 titles. The library team are asking residents to vote for their favourite book released in 2026 to complete the collection.
Later in the year once more new reads have been published, the library will be releasing a shortlist and hand the final choice over to readers to cast their votes.
Sharing details of the centenary collection, Councillor Angela Douglas, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Tourism, said: "It's been a real labour of love for the Library team pulling the list together. It's been hard to whittle it down to just one book a year.
"We're hoping lots of residents will get involved by picking up a book from the list and voting for the final choice to complete the collection.
"It's particularly exciting that this fun challenge coincides with the National Year of Reading as people of all ages up and down the country are being encouraged to read more."
You can view the list on the library's centenary website.
