The Word, National Centre For The Written Word

I am sure you would have seen The Word in South Shields, as this library building certainly stands out. I must admit I popped in to use the loo and café and found more than just a library. It has a few surprises. Let's start with the externals.

Built in 2016, it was designed to encompass the heritage of the area. The main feature is that the vertical stone work was to give you the impression that the pages of a book are being fanned. The entrance is the bookends.

A subtle halo of concrete around the top of the building signifies salt, which was once panned from circa 1680 to 1820. The Mill Dam area over the road was a hive for salt panning. The glasswork could be a nod to the grand-sounding name Onesiphorus Dagnia, who set up the first glassworks in South Shields circa 1707. Steelwork is demonstrating the backbone of shipbuilding and other industries that use this metal. The base is dark grey, representing coal.

There are photographic opportunities to capture a ship as it passes.

Here's an awesome photograph that Mary Oliver has kindly permitted to use.

Go inside, and look up. There is a monochromatic kaleidoscope arrangement of lights. The interior has a modernist touch. It has a fresh, airy feel, in my opinion.

Here are some super photographs by Gill Helps, who kindly permitted their use.

In the exhibition area, I found the place was clogged up nicely with children, young and old. There is a super Cogs and Carnival Exhibition developed and toured by Cabaret Mechanical Theatre, and it is on till November 2025.

There were also a few recognisable models on display.

Upstairs is a viewing platform overlooking the Tyne. Thoughtfully, there are telescopes to peer at the action going on in the outside world. There are apparently 20-odd 'stories' to capture, whose details are posted around the library. As Gill Helps said, “A wonderful design with great views over the River Tyne, even on a day like today!” Here's a photograph she took on a rainy day.

There is a rooftop 'garden' which opens for events.

The building also makes an impressive image when lit up at night. Here is one Gill took.

I have many fond memories of libraries as my Mother was a huge book reader and would have several on the go at once. She would go to the library, and when we (her 6 children) didn't use our tickets (how many of you remember them?), she would. Can you imagine how many books she came home with!

We are fortunate to have libraries with the fountain of knowledge and escapism they represent.

Go and enjoy some more of South Shields' finest that you'll find on the Fabulous North map.