Visitors and new members delight in The Word
The Word, National Centre for the Written Word, has enjoyed astounding success since opening in October, welcoming 88,000 visitors in its first two months. In that time, almost 10,000 books have been loaned and library memberships have increased by nearly 400% compared to the same period in the town’s previous library facility.
Significantly, the number of teenage library users has also increased by 750%, a reflection of the widespread appeal of the new facilities to people in all age groups.
The Word is a library for the 21st century, celebrating the dynamic relationship between people, books, traditional media and interactive technologies, in a truly inspiring environment. It is a place for people; the human-centric design placing the individual at the heart of the opportunity to interact, learn and delight.
Over 50,000 people have visited the spectacular opening exhibition at the library which celebrates the works of director and producer Sir Ridley Scott, one of many fascinating aspects of this multifaceted building.
Councillor Iain Malcolm, Leader of South Tyneside Council, said: "The Word is proving a valuable asset to the Borough as we knew it would be, and it has exceeded all our expectations…. The very premise of The Word is to celebrate the written word in all its forms so we are delighted that the library has attracted so many new borrowers, with lending up among older people, juniors and teenagers.”
