Friends of Jesmond Library

Thirteen years ago, Jesmond Library was scheduled for closure. And, if it weren’t for the hard work and determination of the local community, sadly that would have happened. But instead Jesmond residents came together to form the charity Friends of Jesmond Library (FOJL). Since then, staffed entirely by a dedicated volunteer workforce, the Library has continued to flourish, becoming more than just a place to borrow books. It’s also a vibrant community hub.

Go All In – National Year of Reading

Jesmond Library survives because community is important, people are important, and because we believe books are important.

That is the reason we are championing the National Year of Reading with a year long series of events and monthly challenges. 

Readathon – 26/27 June 2026

By far the most ambitious challenge we have set for ourselves will happen this weekend: the Readathon, a 24 hour non-stop reading relay. 96 library supporters will read aloud, 15 minutes each, by day and through the night, raising money to support not just FOJL but also the National Literacy Trust, a charity which exists to engage and inspire in children a passion for reading. This is the link to our JustGiving  page.

Spend the Night, Enjoy the Day

We hope you will be able to support us. Ever wondered how it feels to spend a night inside the Library? To watch the sun rise while surrounded by books? We think it will feel pretty magical and this will be your chance to find out. 

Our 96 brave readers need an audience to cheer them on. Drop into the Library at any time between 1pm Friday 26th June and 1pm on Saturday 27th June and we’ll be delighted to welcome you with a drink, a biscuit and someone to read you a story.
Bring your canine friends too – it will be a dog friendly event.