From May 1, Rotterdam becomes the first city in the Netherlands where everyone can join the library for free and borrow without fines. With this unique step, the Rotterdam Library opens its doors to even more residents.
Every day, thousands of Rotterdam residents use the library to learn, read, and meet each other. With this new initiative, the library aims to invite even more residents to explore the collection and participate in the many activities.
2 Memberships
To make membership as accessible as possible, the library is introducing two new memberships from May 1: a free membership for 6 books per year and a membership for 4 euros per month.
With this so-called Plus membership, you can borrow unlimited books and also get access to e-books and audiobooks. Furthermore, borrowing will now be fine-free. All existing memberships will be canceled.
Extremely Proud
Alderman Said Kasmi (Education, Culture, and Events) is delighted with this step: The library is of great value to Rotterdam, both culturally and educationally. I am extremely proud that we are the first city in the Netherlands to take this important step. A city that reads is a city that grows. And with this step, we are making Rotterdam even stronger.
The Doors Even Wider
If you are a member of the public library, you have a subscription to the whole world, says Alice Vlaanderen, director of the Rotterdam Library.
It is wonderful that we can offer this to our fellow citizens. We want to further increase the accessibility of the library so that everyone in Rotterdam feels invited to borrow books, develop themselves by attending courses, language cafés, an AI workshop, or a social debate. To meet people, marvel at a beautiful exhibition, or just be here. With the free membership, we open our doors even wider and welcome all Rotterdam residents.
Always a Library Nearby
With 23 branches, there is always a library nearby. They are accessible to everyone, even without a membership. In April, a new district library will open in Beverwaard, on Oude Watering. Work is also underway on the renovation of the Central Library. Link opens an external page on Hoogstraat, so it is ready for the future. It opens in 2029.
More information about the library and new memberships can be found on the website bibliotheek.rotterdam.nl. Link opens an external page.