Although I’ve traveled in the US without a companion, I finally took my first trip out of the country on my own. Amsterdam was a great choice – the city welcomes all travelers to its delightful rhythm. The trip from Schiphol Airport was quick and I found my modest hotel to be comfortable – the staff quite helpful. Once acclimated, I found a local grocery store within walking distance - I became a regular visitor. My first touristy stop was the Heineken Brouwerij – my short romance with Holland had begun. There was so much to see! Walking was easy and transportation abounded. All types of wheels were seen in the city – bicycles, trains, cars, buses – pedestrians beware! (And then, too, the canals and boats!) On my must do list was a visit to the Rijksmuseum with the Dutch Masters, a day trip to Brussels, a visit to den Haag to visit the Mauritshuis Museum (to see The Girl with the Pearl Earring) and Binnenhof, visits to the Van Gogh Museum and the Rembrandt House. On one of my walks, I discovered the Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam which was so fascinating I describe it more fully in the following paragraphs. The day before I left, though, to my delight, I was treated to another side trip to Muiden and the Muiderslot Castle – it was originally built in 1295, destroyed, and then rebuilt in 1350. After touring the castle we went into Muiden, a small, quaint town, where we had a snack by a canal and watched boats go through the locks. My charming host also treated me to a lovely dinner. It was a glittering gorgeous day. This was a perfect ending to a fantastic seven day trip. I had accumulated so many wonderful memories, and one of my fondest was the discovery of a most beautiful library.
Fabulous, in one word, yes, fabulous! Without a doubt this bibliotheek, Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam, is one of the best libraries in the world. (Mind you, I’ve not been to all the libraries in the world, but I’ve been to quite a few.) At the time I visited, the OBA’s claim to fame was that it was supposed to be the largest public library in Europe. Finished in July of 2007 to the tune of $97 million dollars, it is well worth the money. Amsterdam needed to replace the older and much smaller facility to which folks flocked regularly, and it did so with flare in its seven stories of over 300,000 square feet. It is impressively high tech with it’s conveyor belt for circulation returns, its numerous self checks on each floor, its 1,200 desks each with internet connections, its 600 computers (that either are used for database searching or for free Internet), its information stations on each floor, its escalators and elevators (almost department store like), and its sustainable quality. By sustainable quality, I mean the building was constructed environmentally friendly with natural limestone, wood from sustainable forests, heavily insulated windows and photovoltaic panels on the roof. The white 5ft.high bookcases are lit by LED lamps. The A/C is a geo/thermal system.
The building is definitely contemporary in design with decidedly linear features – yet, it fits. It is on an island near the port and central train station in the main part of Amsterdam. This island was undergoing much new construction at the time. Floors in the bibliotheek are devoted to subject areas, a large children’s area on the ground floor, an A/V floor that is mind boggling with so many CD’s and other media from which to choose, and a periodical section that is indescribable. I didn’t know there were that many magazines published! (Well, yes I did, but, I’ve never seen that many in one place!) There are extras: a 250 seat theater and three eating areas; one on the first floor that also serves alcohol, a small café in the periodical section and a full fledged cafeteria on the 7th floor with delicious looking food at nominal cost. From the terrace on the 7th floor one has a marvelous view of Amsterdam and the neighboring Science and Technology Center (NEMO).
Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam has not forgotten its patronage outside the city center, nor its heritage. There are numerous branches. One impressive branch is housed in the Pintohuis not far from Rembrandt’s house. This Italian Renaissance building is significant because of the renovation completed in 1680 by a Jewish immigrant – it has an impressive façade. It was nearly demolished in the 70’s, but was saved and now comes under the wing of the public library domain. It was closed when I walked past – very sorry – it would have been a delight to have visited. Needless to say, I was greatly impressed by the library facilities Amsterdam offers to its public. It is obvious that emphasis is on freedom of information and freedom to choose.
(Statistics courtesy of: Fodor’s Amsterdam & the Netherlands, 2008; Continental, the inflight Magazine for Continental Airlines, September 2010)
Fabulous, in one word, yes, fabulous! Without a doubt this bibliotheek, Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam, is one of the best libraries in the world. (Mind you, I’ve not been to all the libraries in the world, but I’ve been to quite a few.) At the time I visited, the OBA’s claim to fame was that it was supposed to be the largest public library in Europe. Finished in July of 2007 to the tune of $97 million dollars, it is well worth the money. Amsterdam needed to replace the older and much smaller facility to which folks flocked regularly, and it did so with flare in its seven stories of over 300,000 square feet. It is impressively high tech with it’s conveyor belt for circulation returns, its numerous self checks on each floor, its 1,200 desks each with internet connections, its 600 computers (that either are used for database searching or for free Internet), its information stations on each floor, its escalators and elevators (almost department store like), and its sustainable quality. By sustainable quality, I mean the building was constructed environmentally friendly with natural limestone, wood from sustainable forests, heavily insulated windows and photovoltaic panels on the roof. The white 5ft.high bookcases are lit by LED lamps. The A/C is a geo/thermal system.
The building is definitely contemporary in design with decidedly linear features – yet, it fits. It is on an island near the port and central train station in the main part of Amsterdam. This island was undergoing much new construction at the time. Floors in the bibliotheek are devoted to subject areas, a large children’s area on the ground floor, an A/V floor that is mind boggling with so many CD’s and other media from which to choose, and a periodical section that is indescribable. I didn’t know there were that many magazines published! (Well, yes I did, but, I’ve never seen that many in one place!) There are extras: a 250 seat theater and three eating areas; one on the first floor that also serves alcohol, a small café in the periodical section and a full fledged cafeteria on the 7th floor with delicious looking food at nominal cost. From the terrace on the 7th floor one has a marvelous view of Amsterdam and the neighboring Science and Technology Center (NEMO).
Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam has not forgotten its patronage outside the city center, nor its heritage. There are numerous branches. One impressive branch is housed in the Pintohuis not far from Rembrandt’s house. This Italian Renaissance building is significant because of the renovation completed in 1680 by a Jewish immigrant – it has an impressive façade. It was nearly demolished in the 70’s, but was saved and now comes under the wing of the public library domain. It was closed when I walked past – very sorry – it would have been a delight to have visited. Needless to say, I was greatly impressed by the library facilities Amsterdam offers to its public. It is obvious that emphasis is on freedom of information and freedom to choose.
(Statistics courtesy of: Fodor’s Amsterdam & the Netherlands, 2008; Continental, the inflight Magazine for Continental Airlines, September 2010)
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