Gateshead Libraries

29/08/2026

The Ships Cat
Saturday 5 September
11am – 12pm
Gateshead Central Library
You are invited to join the final celebration event of this year’s Summer Reading Challenge - Read to the Beat.
Meet Katie Scorah author of The Ship’s Cat
With an interactive storytime, followed by treasure map making and colouring your favourite ships characters
Collect your stickers, and certificates for completing the challenge and enter the prize draw.
Suitable for families
Free
Just turn up

29/08/2026

Toadstool Garland
Saturday 5 September, 10am-12pm
Blaydon Library

Create an autumnal garland by decorating wooden toadstools and embossing metal leaves. Adults only.

£5 - pre-booking essential. Book online at www.gatesheadlibraries.com

29/08/2026

eNewspapers are now available free on Borrowbox. Users can access local titles like the Journal and Chronicle along with lots of daily national newspapers like the Daily Mail, Guardian and Independent. You can also access back-copies of newspapers at your leisure. To view newspapers simply go to the epress section of Borrowbox.

28/08/2026

Gateshead Central Library Giftshop
Visit the Central Library gift shop for beautiful gifts and cards to celebrate a special
day or simply treat yourself. We also have a great range of local history books too.

28/08/2026

Crossword Cafe (NEW!)
Fridays, weekly from 4 September, 11am-12pm
Blaydon Library

Join our relaxed weekly social group for adults who love good company, gentle challenges, and a warm cup of coffee. We meet to play classic board games, tackle crosswords together, share a laugh, and enjoy a friendly, informal atmosphere. All skill levels welcome - drop in, unwind and connect with others. Adults only.

Free - just turn up.

27/08/2026

Family History Session
Regular dates, get in touch to book
A free one-to-one session for beginners
or those needing advice. Bring as much
information as you can if you’ve already
started (dates, certificates you already
have). Call 0191 433 8420 or email:
[email protected]
Adults only.
Free - Pre-booking essential

27/08/2026

The Summer Reading Challenge is nearly over for another year 😭

But before we wave it goodbye for 2026, we've got a few last events for you to get involved with.

📍 Saturday 5 September, 11am - 12pm, Gateshead Central Library

Meet Katie Scorah, author of The Ship’s Cat. Katie will be hosting an interactive storytime with families, followed by treasure map making and colouring your favourite characters from the book!

📍 Saturday 5 September, 10.30am - 12pm, Blaydon, Birtley, Chopwell, Crawcrook, Leam Lane and Pelaw libraries

Come along to Saturday Sundae! This fun-filled event will be teeming with ice cream-themed crafts, creative activities, and plenty of summer fun. Help design an ice cream van and create some colourful ice cream-shaped bunting to brighten up your room.

Both of these are also a great opportunity to collect your stickers and certificates for completing the challenge, and enter the prize draw 🎁

27/08/2026

This year, we've been celebrating 100 years of Gateshead Central Library 🎈

So far, we've thrown a birthday party, launched a centenary booklist, built a new exhibition marking the milestone and loads more. Now, with Side By Side Arts we're adding an extra special concert to that list too 👇

🌟 The Eras of Gateshead Central Library - Celebrating 100 Years
📍 Caedmon Hall, Gateshead Central Library
📆 Friday 18 September, 7.30pm – 10.30pm (doors open 6.30pm)

With music from the Side By Side Arts band, join us as we journey through the decades from the Roaring Twenties right through to the present day discovering how music has shaped every era along the way.

This special centenary concert brings the soundtrack of the last century to life, featuring iconic songs from legendary artists and bands including The Beatles, ABBA, and many more. Each performance captures the spirit of its time, celebrating the music that defined generations.

This promises to be a vibrant, nostalgic, and uplifting evening of music; the perfect grand finale to Gateshead Central Library's 100th year.

To book, check out the link in the comments 👇

27/08/2026

Crafternoon: Decoupage Trinket Bowl
Thursday 3rd September, 2pm-3.30pm
Chopwell Library

Decorate a tiny trinket bowl. Adults only.

£3 - pre-booking essential. Book online www.gatesheadlibraries.com

26/08/2026