Charity Registration Number: 1178050
About Us
The Library
Whickham Volunteer Library is, as our name suggests, since 2017 a volunteer-run community organisation, located in the centre of Whickham Village.
We exist as a resource for Whickham, Sunniside and Swalwell, not just as a place to borrow books, use the computer, or photocopy (all of which are on offer) but also a space to host events, a meeting place for many types of groups, or simply somewhere to relax in a warm, welcoming environment.
Our History
Whickham hasn’t always had its own library – originally Brompton House on Ravensworth Terrace in Dunston housed the library services for Dunston, Swalwell and Whickham. Books would be sent around the communities on a mobile book van, and a ‘pop-up’ library opened for a few hours a week in local halls.
When Whickham did get its own library, it was housed in various places; at one point it was in a room in The Hermitage at the West end of the Front Street. In 1968 the library got its own building in Chase Park. As the population of Whickham grew, with the building of new housing estates the management of the sub-libraries was transferred from Dunston to Whickham, becoming a divisional library.
Whickham Front Street was developed as a shopping centre, and a new purpose-built library was included in the plans. The library as we know it now was opened on 26th September 1975.
In 2017 Gateshead Council reorganized the provision of libraries in the Gateshead area; as part of that reorganisation Whickham Library became a Volunteer Library. In July of that year the library re-opened, now staffed by a team of approximately 50 volunteers.
Whickham Volunteer Library Association was born and in 2018 became a Charitable Incorporated organisation registered with the Charity Commission.
Volunteers
Since 2017 WVLA has been extremely fortunate to have a team of around 50 volunteers, whose dedication, enthusiasm, skills, experience and connection to the community have been key to sustaining the library’s services and ensuring it remains a welcoming and vibrant space for all. If you have an interest in joining this group, then please contact the library at whickhamlibrary@gateshead.gov.uk.