Lit & Phil Open
We’ve already started work on Lit & Phil Open, the biggest transformation of our building in generations. The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Barbour Foundation are backing it, and we’re already in the development stage, shaping the plans.
Audience and Activities Research – Now Closed – Congratulations to our Winners
Our Surveys have now closed, and Teesside and Northumbria Universities will shortly start analysing the immensely rich data the surveys generated.
The turn-out has been fantastic: over 400 returns for the Visitor Survey, and 270 for the Members & Volunteers Survey. And additional 135 people answered an additional short survey question about their use of social media platforms.
Whilst we are eagerly awaiting the results, we can announce the winners of the prize draw:
David Willey (Members Survey)
Martin Quirke (Visitors Survey)
Both are delighted to have won a year’s free membership of the Lit & Phil. Congratulations!
And a huge THANK YOU to all who filled in a survey and shared with us their experiences. It shows how much and why the Lit & Phil is valued by members, volunteers and visitors, but also about the barriers experienced by those who have not yet visited or not joined us yet. Altogether, the survey responses will help us in our efforts to make our building and society sustainable for the next 200 years (and beyond!).
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August 2026
Lit & Phil’s Young Writers’ Awards 2025 -2026
NEW STAIRLIFT
Come witness the power of the repaired and fully operational chairlift!
Platform Lift Access
10th June 2025
If you are planning to visit the library, please be aware that our external platform lift is currently out of order.
We are working hard to get this resolved as soon as possible and apologise for any inconvenience or disappointment.
Mrs Affleck’s Affliction is now available for all to see on YouTube
Spend a short while in the company of Mrs Affleck, the woman who worked as a cleaner for the Lit & Phil for over 20 years in the early 19th century. Brought to life in a monologue by Anita Holbrow, portrayed by Jacqueline Phillips, with soundscape by Kit Haigh. Photography by Kit Haigh and Donna-Lisa Healy. The piece was directed by Cinzia Hardy.
We hope you enjoy this video, which was created as part of our bicentenary celebrations.
Celebrating 200 years as hub of learning on Westgate Road
Earlier this year we were delighted to welcome Tyne Tees Television who wanted to find out more about us and our plans for 2025, which sees us celebrate the bicentenary of our building.
Click HERE to watch video.
FREE ENTRY
A literary hideout in the heart of Newcastle.
The largest independent library outside London.
Lose yourself in a truly beautiful place….Browse over 200,000 books and CDs, take in a concert or talk, or just relax with a coffee and soak up the 200 years of history…more
Opening Hours
Mon, Wed & Thur 9.30am – 7.00pm
Tues 9.30am – 8.00pm
Fri 9.30am – 5.00pm
Sat 9.30am – 1.00pm
23 Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1SE
THE BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP
Why not become a member?
The Lit & Phil is free and open to all, but if you would like to support us by becoming a Member, you will be able to:
Borrow from over 200,000 books and CDs, pay no fines for overdue books or CDs, enjoy very generous loan periods, have access to Members’ only events and priority booking, use the Committee Room and Reference Room, take advantage of free WiFi, and receive newsletters and other communications throughout the year.
We offer a variety of Membership packages, starting from £15 per year. You can also spread the cost of your annual membership over 10 months by Direct Debit. For example, you can enjoy all the benefits of being an Society Member for £19 per month for 10 months.
To buy or find out more click here
Alternatively you can call us on: 0191 232 0192, or email us and we’ll call you back.
