The launch of Newcastle’s first “Little Free Library” will be celebrated today with books – old and new – prosecco and cake.

Jesmond Vale residents and book-lovers will meet this afternoon (June 24th) from 4pm to 5pm at the Village Green on Roseberry Crescent when Northumbria University academic Mel Gibson, who specialises in literature and graphic novels, will cut the ribbon on the new library.

The Little Free Library concept operates on a system of “take a book, leave a book”: visitors are encouraged to take any book on the shelves that they fancy, read it, share it and leave another book on the shelves that they think others would enjoy.

Jesmond Vale Residents Association (JVRA) has supported the establishment of the library. JVRA chair Suzy Varty, an independent arts and craft professional who designed the art on the library hut, told JesmondLocal she believes that the “strong community” of Jesmond Vale is eager to celebrate and keen to use this new library. She said she hopes it will be “the first of many Little Free Libraries in the town”.

Photograph by Stephen Waller

Photograph by Stephen Waller

Varty told JesmondLocal that the Jesmond ward councillors were keen to encourage people to read and awarded a grant of £400 for the initial set-up of the library.

“It’s really exciting that South Jesmond is getting the first Little Free Library in the city,” said Arlene Ainsley,  Labour councillor for South Jesmond. “It’s a brilliant initiative that not only offers the additional service of providing people with books but also offers a focal point to bring the community together.”

Stephen Waller, a teacher at Newcastle Preparatory School, will act as steward of the library and says he hopes the 24-hour library will “inspire the love of reading” among both adults and children.

Little Free Libraries was established as a non-profit organisation in the United States in 2009,  and it is estimated there are now 60,000 Little Free Libraries in more than 80 countries.

To find out more about this latest one, visit the Facebook page: Jesmond Vale Little Free Library.