The Word

Looking for something to do over the weekend? The Word is open 10am-4pm on Saturday, Sunday and Monday!
Why not come and explore our hugely popular FREE exhibition, Monsters! The Good, The Bad and The Cuddly and discover all about monsters from films, TV and fiction!

What a really nice library.

My 11 year old daughter really loves it here, she enjoyed the freedom to explore however she liked, shes quite interested in the lazer area but unfortunately we have missed it being open on our 2 visits so far.

The staff are very helpful and the cafe is very reasonably priced.

We have enjoyed exploring all the rooms especially the themed ones, we got selfies with Sully from monsters inc.

We enjoyed the gaming areas as well as a study area and my 9 year old sons favourite thing was the Giant I.Pads.

We are all looking forward to returning in the near future.

Visited Tuesday with my 3 children and a friends son. Children aged 6 months to 11 years. Kept them all entertained for nearly 3 hours. Building is fantastic and easy to navigate with a pushchair. Toilets were immaculate too. Visited both the cafe and shop and both were value for money. Really enjoyed our afternoon will definitely visit again. Free parking was a bonus too!

This is a bit of a strange review but i just wanted to comment on how amazing your disables toilet is haveing a disabled child with a stoma bag i have had to change him on the floor many times due to him being to big for the baby change units but i know if we have an issue and are in the word he will not have to be on the floor he can lie on your amazing bed for it.

Open Plan & airy... A very sunny spot, in the Café, with views of the Tyne. I arrived in the area on Saturday & yesterday, was My 1st visit, as on My visit to the Town last year, it hadn't been finished. 'The Lens' vantage-point, with the Telescopes upstairs, is a great idea, as is the Internet Screen, showing Shipping activity on the River. The exhibit about regional accents is a good idea too, as they need preserving & hopefully, not lost, as generations pass.

Lovely place, kids enjoyed monster exhibition ! BUT make sure you get a ticket to stick on your car from the car park, it's free parking however you still need a ticket on car as it a max 3 hr stay. We made the mistake as thought as it was free we wouldn't need one! Nice £50 Parking ticket stuck on car £25 if paid within 14 days and we were not the only ones, only in the place one hour before returning to car �, Just be aware !!!

Lovely modern and clean building. We went for a pre-booked science workshop but really enjoyed the Monsters exhibition. The cafe looked nice too. Well worth a visit!

Great centre for families. We visited as a family from Manchester and We really liked the monsters exhibition.

First visit for us today and we loved it! The Monsters Exhibition was fabulous and the illustrator who held the drawing and story telling session was brilliant. Parking very easy and free and it was bright and clean inside. We can’t wait to come back!

Always love a visit here and to the surrounding areas plenty of photo opportunity as plenty to see look forward to being back soon :)

We visited today with my mam and my little boy who is 2 and a half. We had a lovely time. It's a fab building and was lovely clean and warm. We were entertained for over an hour including getting some food from the cafe which is the same as haven point food. The kids sandwiches are awful like haven point dry hard bread so exchanged it for toast. Apart from that we had a lovely time. However when we came out we seen a driver park in the disability bay where people have been getting fined. Like others he pulled over the footpath so we went over and advised him not to and he thanked us as everywhere else he parked he would pull up to the sign. It very badly designed. There was also another car already parked that had parked wrong and over the foot path. All in all its a good few hours out but I do think the activities they have on for the kids are way over priced.

I attended a full day course here today, the venue is excellent however parking is an issue. I parked in the Word car park opposite and clearly displayed my disability blue badge permit, along with a ticket out of the machine showing valid for 3 hours. My work colleague went in to the word to enquire what the process was if you had to park up for more than the three hours and was advised to come back to the car park at lunch break and obtain a further ticket. At lunch time my colleague returned to my car and attempted to obtain a further ticket, however the machine would not allow her to do so. A note to advise I was attending a full day course at the Word, was left on my dashboard along with my blue badge and original ticket. When we returned to my car at 3:15 I had been given a parking charge notification, which I am obviously challenging. I had no alternative car park in which to park where I would be able to walk back to the word due to recovering from having had 2 knee replacements within 6 months. You really need to look into the parking policy for people attending courses at your venue, not just those with blue badge permits!

Nice Bright and Airy! Lovely little coffee shop. Took my granddaughter she's 4 to the "Shiver Me Timbers" Exhibition she loved it.

Slight edit on my original review. Toilets are a no no. I came in again the other day, I went to the toilets 4 in total plus 1 disabled. I think you seriously need to separate the 4 into 2 female 2 male toilets as the state of the one I went to use but decided against it after a man came out with his crossword and left it a right mess. Wee all over the floor. Never would I use these toilets after that. I'm taking away a star for that reason.

Use the word on a regular basis in fact every week. My young son gets hungry so have fed him on the seats on bottom floor nothing been said. Go in on own before using computers sat on seats to have a quick bite to eat and was told wasn't aloud. Had a little spill with my can of pop was told you spilt all over I said I would mop it up horrible staff member some people can't afford to use cafe and just need a little warmth if not messy don't see the problem.

Too much focus on aesthetics, too little focus on safety. For anyone else with younger children - especially families with two or more children under the age of 4, or in fact anyone with a modicum of common sense - you'll immediately know I'm referring to the lack of a barrier or gate between the wide-open 'children's' area, and that high, too easily accessible flight of stairs! Really?! What were you thinking, spending all of that money on what is otherwise a beautiful, modern space, and yet you neglected to add something as basic (and necessary!) as a safety gate...?! Come on! Sort it out, please! Some of us would like to use the children's library with our children (as it was allegedly purposed) without the worry of their basic safety. Supervising children - especially young children - is very difficult. I know this as I have two preschoolers, but I know that even the most vigilant parent can be distracted. It might only be for a few seconds... Please, please, PLEASE address this as a matter of urgency, before someone's child seriously hurts themselves (or worse). It would be a shame for The Word to become synonymous with a very preventable tragedy.

Dirty floor and tables mediocre coffee and frozen muffins wont bother again

This place hasnt been built with kids in mind. The children's book section suitable for young children and toddlers is right next to and open to the big fancy staircase. No gate, door or walls to stop toddlers and babies getting hurt. There is no relaxing letting your young children or babies read and play. Pathetic to think they are shutting down all smaller, local, baby friendly and active libraries for this.



Our small library a fraction of the running cost and size offers much more for kids. What inconsiderate person thought this was ok?

Really disappointed in the under 7s interactive story telling session today! The girl who lead the session was good however the two stories chosen were aimed at older children as were the activities. The stories were too long for younger children. My child is 2 1/2 years old and was amongst 4 or 5 under threes. The young children became bored and loud very quickly, which also lead to disturbing the older children’s session. The activities of colouring in and crafts are no good for younger children and doesn’t attract their attention. I feel this session should be aimed at children aged between 4-7 years old.

After paying 3.50 for myself and 2.50 for my little girl I would be very worried about booking another session here unless they are age appropiate and advertised so.

Lovely building and great monster exhibition however I have never in my life known such rude staff!!

Absolutely Appalling attitude, I have never been made to feel so unwelcome. Such a shame.

I am a tutor who has met my learners in public libraries all over the north east, and always met with warmth and made welcome. Today at The Word we were removed ( I am 51 and my learner is a 57 year old care worker) by patronising staff who informed me people doing university study were allowed to work here but not 'people having business meetings', despite my assurance that my learner is simply studying with my support. I would like to thank Jarrow, Byker and the other libraries I have been made welcome in with often nervous and anxious learners, over the years.