Newcastle Libraries

Don't forget, the Pop-Up Library is at Galafield Family Hub TOMORROW! 🌞✨

Come down, say hi between 10am-2pm 👋

Toon Libraries will be there for library services, including new memberships, borrowing from a good range of books, enquiries and online services. As well as, crafts and activities for adults and children, including story time sessions and Lego! 📚🎨🤩

As part of our Big Toon Reading Challenge programme, Newcastle Libraries brings together Sally O'Reilly, Hagtale (2025), and Naomi Kelsey, Pale Mistress (2026), to discuss common themes in their work.

Both authors have taken inspiration from Shakespeare to write their own dark fairytale and historical thriller based on his work. Drawing on themes of witchcraft, the supernatural, murder and vengeance, the authors foreground the women's voices that are so often left out of the story.

This event will include a Q&A, book sale and book signing.

Book your ticket for this amazing event, here: https://SallyOReillyNaomiKelsey.eventbrite.co.uk

Looking to trace your roots or build your family tree? Join us at Denton Burn Library this June! 🌿

📅 Monday 8 June
⏰ 2 – 4:30pm

Get friendly, one-to-one advice on using Ancestry.com and Find My Past (both available free in Newcastle Libraries.) Whether you’re just starting out or need help digging deeper, we’re here to support you.

✅ No booking required
✅ Drop in at any time during the session
✅ Suitable for all levels

Come along and uncover the stories of your past! 🌳✨

Next Monday, join local author Mark Thorton as he talks about his book, M223: The Journey from Tyneside Teenager to Teeside Police Constable...

Born and raised in West Denton and Dumpling Hall, Mark Thornton always dreamed of becoming a bobby on the beat. His book captures the highlights and mishaps of his first two years as a probationary officer—experiences that helped shape his 30-year police career, which he now recalls with pride and humour.

Denton Burn Library, Monday 15 June, 10am

Bellavista 👀✨

📸: Bellavista Ristorante, Quayside. Maybury Malcolm, 1998. Newcastle Libraries Archives.

We’ve got a pop-up library joining us, in partnership with Newcastle Libraries !
Reading can be a really helpful part of recovery, giving you time to slow down, clear your head, or just escape for a bit.

Come along on Fridays to George street social (10:30–12:30) to have a browse, borrow a book, or just have a chat.

Chris from the library will be there with a great mix of books, there’s something for everyone.

Pop in, grab a cuppa, and take a bit of time for yourself ☕📖

Tomorrow is COMIC DAY at Outer West Library 💥💬

Come down anytime between 10am-2pm for crafts, games and a comic making workshop with Paper Jam comic illustrators!

Saturday 6 June, 10am-2pm, suitable for the whole family!

No need to book, just come along!

Just under a week under a week until best-selling author of Northerners, Brian Groom kicks off the author events with his illustrated talk about the fascinating history of the British and Irish Isles!

Covering 900,000 years, Brian outlines the colourful and often-contested history of the Celts, Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, Normans and others who have occupied these islands, along with their culture, languages and passions.

How NOT to Flee a War...

On 24 February 2022, Ukrainian journalist Maria Romanenko, and her partner Jez Myers faced a difficult decision: whether to stay in Kyiv, where to go if they left, and how to leave a city under the threat of Russian invasion. This , hear the first-hand story of their escape.

🚨 Calling all artists, makers, creatives and idea-havers... 🚨

We've got £1,500 and we're looking for a brilliant idea that will make teenagers stop, look and think: "Yep. Let's do that."

For , we're commissioning a creative Teen Pop-Up; a fun, social, drop-in participatory activity designed for young people.

🎨 Creative activity?
🎵 Music or poetry?
🎲 Game or challenge?
✨ Something unexpected?

If it makes teenagers want to stay, play, create or connect, we want to hear about it.

Young people from Newcastle's Voice & Influence Team have helped us draft this brief - so you're hearing directly from them about what they're interested in! They'll also be helping us with the selection process.

💷 £1,500 commission
📍 NOVUM Summer Festival, Newcastle City Centre
📅 8–9 August 2026
⏰ Apply by 30 June, 12 noon

🔗 Link to download brief in comments.

👉 For any questions and submit your proposal email: [email protected]