Month: October 2023

Newcastle-under-Lyme

~ librarytouristblog

I was in Newcastle-under-Lyme so decided to visit, even though I’ve already visited a library for Staffordshire – Stafford in 2018. Just like the Stoke library, I also had trouble finding this library as Google took me to this building:

However, I soon realised that I could see bookcases through the windows of the civic centre down the road. Castle House, which opened in 2018, is nestled in the lovely Queens Gardens which means most of the desks in the library have a decent view. The library shares the main space with the councils’ (Borough and County) customer service desks. Although I think this is a sensible use of space, I can see it causes confusion as libraries are generally open longer hours than Council departments and that confuses the user. Plus the role and skillset for library staff and Council workers is slightly different.

Newcastle is celebrating its 850th anniversary so there were lots of displays and bunting to mark this occasion, but also a nice display on autumn. There was a decent amount of book stock and chairs and (very comfortable) sofas but the place felt a little squished. I can imagine when people are waiting to speak to the Council staff it must get very busy and possibly noisy with the activity.

I couldn’t take pictures in the kids area as there several kids there and one having a tantrum, but there is a nice picture on this news report. It was a very open area with a ground and first floor with staff on both floors. However, the lift was out of order. There was a prime vacant area upstairs which was the money advice service – it will be interesting to see which body takes up the space. Would make a nice gallery because of the light in that front area of the building. There were also loos, a jigsaw and a 3D printer. Most of the computers and lots of the desks were in use by 11am on this Saturday.

Stoke City Central Library

~ librarytouristblog

***100th library visited so far***

A new library had opened in Stoke a few days before I visited. This meant I had trouble finding the new building! Although the website, and the door on the old building, told me the address was 2 Smithfield, it was rather hard to work out which building was number 2. I had to ring the library and the nice librarian directed us round the corner. Another family was also standing outside and they followed us to the new library.

The new building was very welcoming and friendly. It had a very warm feel – possibly the heating was on – but also the wood furniture and the burnt orange colour scheme were well chosen.

There was plenty of staff and two desks, one on the ground floor and one on the mezzanine. The loos were nice although a code was needed to get in and you had to press a button to exit – possibly unnecessarily complicated. The stock and chairs and desks were dotted around the library maximising space and privacy. There were plenty of people in for a Friday afternoon, even though it was 1 hour before closing time.

There is a reading step area. The children’s library had hidey holes in the wall to read in.

The lights are very arty – I really liked them.