A much-loved library is to be transformed into a ‘dynamic and vibrant’ hub catering for a wide range of community needs.
Forest Hall Library sits in the heart of the community and is used by thousands of residents of all ages every year.
The building, on Whitfield Road, was built in the 1950s and is starting to show its age, with access and opening times limited by the ageing structure and an ‘inflexible’ layout.
Now the library is set to be brightened up, extended, and modernised after North Tyneside secured £266,066 from the Government’s Cultural Investment Fund, delivered by Arts Council England on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
The new-look library will include accessible toilets and baby change facilities, additional community space, folding doors and an eco-friendly Air Source Heating Unit to future-proof the building and reduce the carbon footprint of the library.
A community orchard has already been planted and new folding doors will create a brighter, more joined-up relationship between the indoor and outdoor space.
Councillor Sandra Graham, Cabinet Member responsible for libraries, said: “We have a long-term commitment to delivering dynamic and vibrant library services that are accessible to local communities.
“We have pledged to keep our libraries and leisure centres open, while others across the country are sadly closing, as part of a vibrant range of cultural and sporting activities to support the health and wellbeing of our residents.
“Forest Hall Library is extremely well-used by a lot of people of all ages. We had over 14,000 visitors in 2019/20 but we knew that the venue could be improved.
“I am delighted that we now have the funds to be able to bring forward our plans to completely redevelop this essential community asset, build a sense of local ownership and better embrace the diversity of the community.
“The transformation will create an accessible library that is fit for purpose for the 21st century and can flexibly respond to the evolving needs of the community.”
The council will look to work with a range of local partners and provide opportunities to extend its traditional opening hours. The renewed space will open opportunities for commercial income and hire, contributing to the long-term sustainability of the service.
The council is one of more than 70 cultural organisations across the country to be given a financial boost under the programme, so they can improve people’s access to arts, support local economic growth through culture and safeguard vital local collections for future generations.
Within the Cultural Investment Fund is the £20.5 million Libraries Improvement Fund, aiming to transform library services in England by helping them upgrade their buildings and improve digital infrastructure.
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said: “This investment will help to level up access to arts and culture for everyone, no matter where they live.
“Culture helps us create lifelong memories with our families and friends, provides entertainment and joy, and allows us to explore the world around us in new and exciting ways. It can also boost tourism, support local business and drive local economic growth.
“This funding will support brilliant arts organisations to upgrade their venues and create new projects that will be at the heart of their communities.
Darren Henley, Chief Executive of Arts Council England said: “Investment in creativity and culture is a catalyst for improving well-being and raising aspirations, reinvigorating pride in communities, regenerating high streets and local economies, and bringing people together. We are pleased to play a part in delivering the Cultural Investment Fund and this £58 million investment will help create new, or improve existing, cultural buildings and spaces in our villages, towns and cities. By doing so it will support recovery and growth and unlock the creative potential of those who live and work in communities across England.
The library will be closed for up to six months to allow the work to be carried out.
Community groups will be offered use of community space in one of the borough’s Customer First Centres during this period. The council will provide an order and collect service to ensure users are still able to access books from our extensive stock. Customers will also be welcomed into Killingworth Library as an alternative venue.
