29 October 2008
Heritage Lottery Fund writes a new chapter in the region's finest libraries
A new chapter is set to be written into the books of two of the North’s most beautiful libraries thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). A £300,000 grant has been awarded to the historic Lit & Phil and Mining Institute libraries to make them accessible to everyone.
The libraries are housed in the fabulous settings of grade II* buildings but their original historic designs have meant many people with disabilities were excluded. The solution was found by forging a strong partnership and working closely with Newcastle City Council’s Planning Department and English Heritage. The planned entrance creates a new central link between both buildings providing level access and a lift serving the first floors of both libraries.
The Lit & Phil’s President Bill Bower welcomed the news of the award saying, “We are extremely pleased that the Heritage Lottery Fund is supporting this scheme. We are committed to removing barriers to the use of our collections for people of all ages, interests and backgrounds. Many small improvements will follow the main building works, for example lighting and aids to reading, including IT solutions assisting people who are blind and partially sighted to make use of and enjoy our collections. New hearing loops will be installed and signage upgraded throughout. The funds will also enable us to develop a younger audience for learning, enjoyment of books and the arts with a two-year education and outreach programme ready to roll out across the region.”
Stuart Porthouse, the Secretary of the Mining Institute said, “The two libraries are historically important as educational resources and still serve the Region’s communities today. Expanding our educational potential is tremendously important and we’ll be working closely with a wide variety of partners to help unlock the creativity and imaginations of young people through our collections and new information technology. We’ll also be developing interpretation of our heritage which is an amazing story in itself.”
Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund for the North East Region Dr. Keith Bartlett said, “The Lit & Phil and Mining Institute libraries are hidden treasures of the Region. They hold collections not just of regional but of national importance that tell the story of our proud past. We are delighted to be able to offer this project our support. It will open up the collections and develop the excellent facilities that can be enjoyed by everyone”.
The lottery cash will also help start the process of conservation work, returning the ground floor of the Lit & Phil to its mid-nineteenth century size creating a large exhibition area. The Lit & Phil and the Mining Institute played a vital role in the Region’s development and this project sees them moving to play a bigger role locally and nationally.
Other parts of the scheme are less innovative but equally important. “The scheme includes secure cycle parking; most visitors use public transport, walk or cycle to the library and it’s important to meet their needs”, explained Richard Gray, Director of Development for both the Lit & Phil and Mining Institute. “We carried out careful research in developing this project, which was helped by Heritage Lottery Fund.
Many people are unable to use the splendid facilities we have here. There is also now a solid business case for the future based on an award winning programme of events drawn from the distinctive regional heritage. It’s taken a while to find a design solution that meets everyone’s criteria, but we now have been granted planning permission, listed building consent and this fantastic Lottery award all in the space of four weeks.” Our dream of an accessible library benefits every one of our visitors as well as making it possible for people to use the libraries who have not been able to before.”
It is hoped that building works could be completed within twelve months provided the remaining funds are confirmed by Spring. The award from the Heritage Lottery Fund provides one third of the cash required, with a further third already confirmed. “We have still to raise about £300,000 to enable works to proceed”, said Richard Gray, “but this tremendous news provides a huge boost in confidence to both our own organisations and other potential funding partners.”
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Images of the libraries and the proposed access scheme are available from Richard Gray or Simon Brooks, Tel: 0191 260 3348 or via simon.brooks@mininginstitute.org.uk
THE HERITAGE LOTTERY FUND
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported more than 26,000 projects, allocating over £4billion across the UK. Website: www.hlf.org.uk
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Lit & Phil and Mining Institute, two of the Region’s oldest participative organisations, own important book and archive collections housed in fine grade II* listed buildings in need of major refurbishment. They are working together to re-invigorate their historic contributions to the Region and to achieve a stable future through a shared business and event strategy, a significant increase in membership and visits, and implementation of access and other building improvements.
The long-term plan set out in 2005 was for a stable, regionally significant and active organisation with restored and accessible buildings, forming a major and distinct centre for cultural activity. The current project represents the first phase in a series of proposed developments and has been designed by Newcastle Architects Hopper, Howe Saddler.
The Lit & Phil was founded in 1793 and moved to its purpose built Westgate Road library in 1825. The North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers was founded in 1852 and its library, Wood Memorial Hall was built in 1870. Past Presidents have included Lord William Armstrong, Joseph Swan and Robert Stephenson.
Founded to provide an educational resource to local people, the Lit & Phil established itself at the centre of learning in the region from an early date. The Wood Memorial Hall Library became the centre of learning for thousands of mining engineers world-wide and for over 50 years was at the forefront of mining safety and technology. Both organisations helped found the College of Physical Science at Neville Hall in 1870, which later developed elsewhere in the city as Armstrong College, a part of Durham University, and later Newcastle University.
The Lit & Phil is the largest independent library outside London housing some 160,000 books and with an important music collection that includes 16,000 LP’s and CD’s and 5,000 musical scores The reading rooms remain unaltered since they were remodelled in 1893.
The Wood Memorial Hall Library is reputedly the world’s largest mining library with more than 20,000 volumes covering coal and metalliferous mining and engineering. There are thousands of geological maps, early mining maps and extensive records relating to mines, mine safety and mining engineering.
Both libraries organise a series of lectures, events, recitals and concerts many of which are free.
Details are published on the web-sites at www.mininginstitute.org.uk and www.litandphil.org.uk
FAQ’S
The Lit & Phil is increasing its membership, a reversal of national trends. Membership has grown at a consistent rate of 10% a year, in the past 5 years and annual use of the library measured by footfall is increasing at around 18% a year.
Borrowings from the library have increased by 40% in the last five years.
The libraries are increasing their cultural offering through innovative and award-winning programmes. The Newcastle Philosophers Club, a joint production with European Players, was voted winner of the Arts Council Award in The Journal Culture Awards 2008. Use of both libraries is increasing with rising demand for the fascinating spaces for lectures and learning and from evening and weekend bookings, significantly amongst cultural organisations. The Mining Institute recording year on year growth of 30% per annum in the last 3 years.