Jesmond Library

If your interest in St Hilda's Pit Head in South Shields is stimulated by our forthcoming Thursday evening talk on "Stories from the Pit", you may also be interested in https://www.facebook.com/sthildaspithead/

Make a note in your diary, not to miss this Thursday evening talk in Jesmond Library. Besides being the current Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria, Dame Vera Baird is a former Government Minister, including a spell as Solicitor General from 2007 to 2010. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vera_Baird for more information about her career and interests.

On Thursday February 14th at 6.00pm Poppy Holden will talk about and sing ballads where the loved one cannot let go.

Barbara Trevitt, one of the volunteers who keep Jesmond Library open, has written this account of what she does:
I am a volunteer at the wonderful Jesmond Library. I had been considering getting involved for some time and after a period of well-organised training am now reasonably adept at wielding the date stamp.
But there is a lot more to it than simply meeting and greeting and signing books out on loan. The tasks involved in maintaining such a well run organisation are ma...ny and varied, allowing volunteers both to work to their strengths and also to learn new skills.
A typical two hour shift can involve checking books in and out, shelving books, assisting users log onto Newcastle Libraries’ computers, photocopying, scanning, laminating, keeping information displays up to date, topping up the coffee machine, handling cash sales, and generally maintaining a safe and pleasant environment for all users.
For those who are adept at such things, skills such as computer literacy, book binding, organising displays, helping with children’s craft sessions, are all welcome. Above all a ready smile and willingness to help are all that is required.
I’m delighted to be part of this fabulous library and look forward to many more happy hours of volunteering.
Now, hand me that date stamp please!
Barbara Trevitt.
PS We always need more volunteers, so why not pop in and speak to one of us about how to join up!
See More

On Thursday February 7th at 6.00pm John Armstrong will talk about Alnwick's Fusiliers Museum

On Wednesday February 6th from 10.30 am the next wellbeing for life session will be on the theme clean and green

Dame Vera Baird will speak about her time growing up in the North West, to her current role as the democratically elected Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria. Vera will talk through some of the challenges facing women in the world of law and politics and will draw on her experiences as a fierce advocate for equality. Admission £3, to help keep our library open.

Kathleen Kenny reads from her latest novel, which has been described as unputdownable. £3 per person entrance, to help keep our library open.

Myra Robinson is an award-winning travel writer who lives partly in Jesmond and partly in the Veneto. "The Best Mud in Italy" tells the story of how she came to live in a small faded Italian spa town and, after many misunderstandings, embarked on a life-changing experience. Now she divides her time between here and there, and claims that she has the best of both worlds. £3 a person.

Liz Waterston explains why many butterflies are threatened species, and gardens organically managed are a haven for them. This talk will also look at how to repopulate the gardens of Jesmond with butterflies. £3 entrance per person, to help keep our library open.

St Hilda's Pit Head in South Shields has been restored and recently re-opened as community, culture and heritage space, hosting events, training and community groups. Linked to this project, a group of former miners will be telling some of their own "Stories from the Pit". £3 donation to Jesmond Library, please.

Mondays in Jesmond Library.....

Thursday 24 January in Jesmond Library......

Have you ever wondered which part of government is responsible for public libraries? Thanks to Ian Anstice for this "easy to understand" diagram!! We are part of the detached block in the bottom right hand corner.

On Thursday January 24th at 6.00pm Keith Jewitt will be talking about novels of university life