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Restoring the city’s heritage: Alma Devine tells the Bdaily about the Lit & Phil Library

Alma Devine has only just completed her first month as a fundraiser at the Literary and Philosophical Society, but throughout career as a fundraiser, the building has always been at the back of her mind.

“When I was fifteen I used to walk past the Lit & Phil every day on my way to work, and I was just enchanted by the building,” she remembers fondly, “ And 42 years later when the opportunity arose to come and help, I love the building just as much – its obviously my destiny!”

The Lit & Phil was established in 1793 as a gentleman’s conversation club, and was attended by many of the big thinkers of the day – Edison, Stephenson and Swan, to name but a few. The current building was opened in 1825 and since then, the library has amassed a vast collection of 150,000 books.

The neoclassical Grecian interior seeped in history is a calm and peaceful haven from the bustling street outside. As an integral part of North East history, it is also something Alma feels is undoubtedly worth preserving

“It really is a unique building in the city, and is the second largest library outside of London,” Alma continues. “ However, the age of the building means that we now need to raise £1 million to restore it.”

Now Alma has begun work to raise the profile of the of the library, and hopes people will begin to take notice of the magnificent building hidden away on Westgate Road, which is often overlooked by passers by.

“The library had always had a mysterious image, which never seems to have quite left it, but we would love people to realise that it is part of the city’s heritage, as well as playing an integral part to the original business core of the city.

“Anyone can come in and read the books and attend the events – we’ve got a great mix of members, ranging from 4 to 91.”

Now Alma is setting to her task of raising the much needed funds, organising donor dinners and corporate events as well as continuing to try and attract the people of Newcastle to come through its unassuming doors.

“The venue needs urgent restoration, and now the Newcastle business community has the opportunity to help make it happen,” Alma concludes.

“It has been here for 200 years, and if we managed to raise the funds, it could be here for 200 years more.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .