A library saved by the community marks its 10th anniversary after reopening as a volunteer-run home of refuge and literacy.

Jesmond Library, a Grade II listed building, brings people together with its annual 400 events and impressive record of over 17,000 member visits and approximately 10,000 issued books.

Celebrations kick-off at the venue in St George's Terrace, Jesmond, with its inaugural book festival, featuring writers Mari Hannah, Alex Pheby and Preti Taneja, among others.

Known for its inclusivity, the library extended its hours to introduce Friends’ Fridays, providing English language classes for refugees and asylum seekers at a local hotel, earning it a Library of Sanctuary Award in 2023.

Trustee Sarah Mercer said: “And it all happens thanks to the dedication of our 70 volunteers.

“Between them, they do everything from manning the reception desk to supporting the sometimes less technically-able using the Public Network Computers to - very importantly - offering the library as a place of sanctuary.

“The original campaign to save Jesmond Library from closure and the subsequent community takeover is the type of success story we hardly dared hope for when we started out.”