Newcastle Labour is celebrating national recognition for Newcastle Libraries.
The award recognises the quality and impact of the citywide library service, including neighbourhood facilities is one of only 20 library services in England to achieve the highest level of accreditation in the framework’s first year.
Assessors highlighted the service’s committed workforce, strong partnerships, effective use of evidence, sustainability work and understanding of the communities it serves. Libraries were assessed across four areas: people, place, purpose, and policy and practice.
Newcastle Libraries provides residents with access to books, information, computers, activities and a trusted community space. This national recognition belongs to the staff, partners and residents who help keep local libraries welcoming and relevant.
The highest Met Strong rating reflects the public-service values Labour wants to protect: skilled staff, welcoming local buildings, strong community partnerships and services designed around the people who use them. Being one of only 20 English library services to reach the top level is an achievement for the whole city.
For Labour, libraries are not an optional extra. Newcastle’s libraries provides books, computers, information, activities and face-to-face help in a trusted neighbourhood setting. We will continue making the case for accessible local libraries and recognising the staff and residents who sustain them.
Newcastle Labour Council Leader, Cllr Karen Kilgour said:
“Achieving Met Strong status is a fantastic recognition of the hard work of everyone at Newcastle Libraries and a testament to the dedication and creativity of our library staff.
“Our libraries are places where communities come together, where learning and creativity thrive and where everyone is welcome. This accreditation shows that our libraries are making a real difference every day and that we are setting the standards for library services nationwide. We are so proud of everything we have achieved and, that once again, Newcastle is leading the way. I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who works in our libraries for everything they do.”