Newcastle City Library isn’t really just a library; it is a cultural venue as significant to the city than the flagship venues of The Sage and BALTIC. There’s an openness to the place, from the glass exterior, to the open plan interior, and to the fact it’s completely self-service.

Initially, the library was accused of an ‘appalling lack of security’ for not requiring identification when registering for the service. I congratulate the Library on showing a level of trust which otherwise seems to be rare in our civic spaces.

I use the library quite regularly during the week, as a place to work, drink coffee and read the papers. If you haven’t been yet, go. It’s marvellous.