About us

The Kittiwake Trust Multilingual Library is a welcoming and inclusive space dedicated to celebrating linguistic and cultural diversity. Located in Gateshead, UK, our library offers a collection of over 24,000 books in more than 140 languages and dialects - and Geordie! providing a resource for readers of all backgrounds. As the first Library of Sanctuary in the North East, we support newcomers to the area, as well as local people and the wider community through language classes, conversation groups, and cultural events. Our mission is to promote understanding, literacy, and a love of languages while fostering a sense of belonging for everyone who walks through our doors.

 

Spaces to hire

As well as the main library, we have two rooms upstairs that can be rented by the hour or by the day - a classroom/meeting room for max 12 people, and a smaller room for one to one meetings or small groups. Please get in touch to find out about costs and availability. 

Your Library

140 languages – sounds like so many but only a drop in the ocean of 7000 languages

So many oceans, so many souls, so many tongues

So many parents reading so many books to so many babies

So many piglets

And gruffalos

And bedknobs

And broomsticks

And hobbits

So many giggles

And snuggles

And cuddles

Our library is for everyone

For you and your neighbours

Your mum and your dad

For your brothers and sisters

Your aunties and uncles

Your granny and grandpa

Your sons and your daughters

This library is for YOU"

Warm Welcome

For two winters our library has been part of the Warm Welcome network, offering a place to spend time in cold weather. Anyone can come and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee. During the winter we offered soup, pot noodles, toiletries and other items. But were disapointed to find that most of the items were taken by people who were not hungry or in need. This meant that our funding was all used up weeks before it should have been and we were unable to help some people who were in serious need. We also experienced behaviour that was inappropriate for a family space. This is a safe space for adults and children and long may it remain so.
 

Library of Sanctuary Award

In October 2020 We became the first Library of Sanctuary in the North East. Since this happened during lockdown, the official presentation of the Library of Sanctuary award was made online during the AGM of CILIP North East (the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals). The recording of the event is available here.

Volunteer with us

The Kittiwake Trust Multilingual Library thrives on the dedication of volunteers. With such a wide variety of languages, we welcome help from people whose home language is not English. Our library offers a great opportunity for people who are not allowed to work but are eager to be occupied. Where possible we pair people learning English with native speakers so that a volunteering session is also a lesson in 'workplace English' which may be very useful later on. 

 

From helping with library operations to leading conversation groups or organising events, your time and skills can make a real impact.

 

Join our team and be part of a welcoming community that celebrates all languages.