Restored tile tableau from Uitgeest's old library finds new home in Reading Room
A piece of Uitgeest's history is preserved as a restored tile tableau from the town's old library is unveiled at the Reading Room. The artwork, featuring a poem about reading, connects past and present for residents celebrating the Reading Room's 10th anniversary.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Presentation of restored tile tableau |
| Location | Reading Room, Uitgeest |
| Presented by | Alderman Jan Schouten |
| Origin of tableau | Old library of Uitgeest (demolished for De Molenhof apartment complex) |
| Poem featured | ‘Now this structure has risen anew... Take, here, Uitgeest, a book in hand’ |
| Significance | Marks 10th anniversary of the Reading Room |
| Date | March 6, 2026 |
The municipality of Uitgeest plays a key role in preserving local heritage while fostering community engagement through cultural initiatives. By restoring and relocating the tile tableau, the local government highlights its commitment to blending historical preservation with modern urban development.
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Read the full translated article below
Reading room receives tile tableau
During a festive gathering of the Reading Room on March 6, alderman Jan Schouten will present an original tile tableau to the Reading Room. The tableau comes from the old library of Uitgeest. That library once stood on the site where the apartment complex De Molenhof is now located.
This tile tableau, which was saved before the demolition of the old library, has been carefully restored and now finds a new purpose. The tableau features a poem that emphasizes the value of reading and the role of the library in the community. The poem reads as follows:
‘Now this structure has risen anew
Of steel and stone, glass and sand
It hides the wisdom to be read
Take, here, Uitgeest, a book in hand’
Presentation
The moment of presentation coincides with the 10th anniversary of the Reading Room. This place has played an important role for years in promoting reading and knowledge in Uitgeest.
The presentation of the tableau marks a special moment in the development of the Uitgeest Centre Plan. Here, we not only focus on innovation and new construction, but also on preserving important historical elements that reflect the history of Uitgeest.
Connecting old and new
The old library was a familiar place for many residents. With this tile tableau, we preserve a piece of that history and give it a new function within the Reading Room. The restoration shows how we in Uitgeest connect the past and the future.
The tableau will have a prominent place in the Reading Room. This way, it will remain a lasting reminder for everyone who visits the Reading Room of the old library and the value of reading.