About 3 years. That is how long the renewal of the Central Library is expected to take. But the city cannot go for years without such a large library location. Project manager Desirée Schouten: ‘Such a place serves so many different functions, you cannot just remove it.’

Central Location

Fortunately, a temporary location was found nearby: Librijesteeg 4, a former municipal office. In many ways, it is ideal: large enough, centrally located, and easily accessible by public transport.

Much will remain the same at this temporary location. The library collection will shrink only a little, all information points will move along, and the number of study places will also remain the same. Outside, extra bike racks will be added so visitors can park their bicycles properly.

Renovation

To transform the building into a library, a renovation is currently underway. This mainly focuses on adapting the entrance of the building. Desirée: ‘The library receives about 1.4 million visitors each year. The entrance of Librijesteeg was simply not equipped for that. So we are widening it now, but in such a way that it will also be usable for a future owner.’

Because: the renovation of the municipal office is being done as sustainably and efficiently as possible. ‘It remains a temporary location, so we try to make the building usable with as few modifications as possible.’

For example, the carpeting will remain in most places. And as many items as possible from Hoogstraat will simply move to Librijesteeg. From furniture to the ceiling lights. ‘Of course, we will create a warm, homely place. That goes without saying.’

Rotterdam Neighborhood News

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