Libraries
The RGS has always had a library. Libraries are a fundamental resource for learning and discovery, an essential part of any educational journey.
Books would have been a great expense for the school during our earliest years, and only the master would have used them for teaching. Some of the earliest books in our library continue to form part of our rare book collections today:
Works of Cicero, 1566
Satires of Juvenal and Persius, 1551
Politian, 1553
Cornucopiae Latinae Linguae, 1536
Cicero's Epistles, 1565
Aristophanes' Comedies, 1537
Plutarch's Lives, vol. I (1561), [RGS Archives, ref: C10/4] Donated by headmaster Amor Oxley in 1669.
The library grew after the school moved to Westgate Road in 1607. Amor Oxley, Headmaster (for the first time) 1635-45, was instrumental in the expansion of the book collections.
The library was destroyed during the English Civil War and the siege of Newcastle by the Scottish Army in 1644. After the conflict ended, Headmaster George Ritschel (1648-60) asked the Newcastle Common Council for money to replace the books, which took place 1651-55. Oxley was head again in 1662-69, and left several of his books to the school in his will.
Another headmaster made a big impact on the growth and care of the library: Thomas Rud (1699-1710) was a great bibliophile and catalogued our books in 1699-1700, when he joined the school. Rud later became librarian to the Dean and Chapter of Durham Cathedral.
The next champion of the library was Headmaster Edward Moises (1787-1829) who gave a number of his books to the school.
Moises was also instrumental in the establishment of the Library of the Literary & Philosophical Society, where you can still see his portrait on display.
The fortunes of the library appeared to dwindle in the Rye Hill era (1870-1906). At this time, it was run by students as an extra-curricular activity, with staff supervision. From 1885, we can see reports in the student magazine The Novocastrian of appeals for library books. In the May 1886 edition, one student suggested charging boys a subscription to use the library, to “... cause boys to value the library more, and at the same time enable a considerable number of books to be added ...” The library was still small enough to be confined to a cupboard in the late 19th century. The Novo editor lamented in March 1900, “As matters stand the Library is a crying disgrace to the School”.
Portrait of Edward Moises (1763-1845), at the Lit & Phil, Newcastle.
In 1931, the library gained a boost when Lord William Plender funded new bookcases, furniture and some rebinding of the old books.
It was then named in his honour as the Plender Library. The library was housed in what was originally the Art Room, off the east side of the Main Hall. During the evacuation of the school to Penrith 1939-44, the library was removed to be used in Cumbria. It was brought back on our return to Jesmond at the end of WWII.
Photograph of the Plender Library, from the Novo Supplement, December 1933. RGS Archives
Photograph of the Plender Library, c.1970s [RGS Archives, ref: 411]
Over the next 60 years, the Plender Library would be used for meetings of governors and the Old Novocastrian Association; the Debating Society; Bridge Club; XXI Club drama readings; and Photography Society. It was also used for detention!
A main library was opened in 1968, taking the space from the old Dining Hall, which was located where our current Sixth Form Centre stands. It was quite a traditional space, with dark oak tables, wood panelling, chandeliers, and separate Senior School and Junior School sections. This location proved challenging for a library, due to intense sunlight, noise from the adjacent Sixth Form Common Room, and the hazard of broken windows from its close proximity to the rugby pitch!
Photograph of the main library, c.1970s [RGS Archives, ref: 411]
RGS Library, 2020 ©RGS Newcastle
In 2006, the Junior School opened the Penrith Library. The Plender Library was closed in 2013, when the room was redeveloped as an office administration area as part of building the new Reception.
In 2019, a building opened which housed a new Library and Archive. The previous library was closed and the area redeveloped as the Sixth Form Centre in 2020. The bookcases from the former libraries are still in use today in the English Department offices and some classrooms.
Our Library today is a much more spacious quiet environment, with air conditioning, natural light, reading corners and collaborative workspaces.
It is popular with our students, offering a welcoming and comfortable space to read and learn. It also boasts the beautiful stained glass windows, which were formerly installed in the old Lecture Theatre that was located on the site where the Library now stands.
RGS Library, 2020 ©RGS Newcastle