Newcastle Central Library | Co-Curate

Building of the Free Library (later known as Central Library) on New Bridge Street began in 1881; the medieval Carliol Tower was demolished to make way for the library. In turn the Victorian library building was demolished in 1967 to make way for the building of John Dobson Street[1]. A new Central Library building was built in the Princess Square development, as part of the 1960's 'city in the sky' vision. Over time the building became unfit for purpose and the wider Princess Square with it's concrete canopy over John Dobson Street became increasingly unpopular. Central Library was closed on 1st September 2006 and demolished in 2007. A new modern City Library building was opened on 7th June 2009.