Bookshelf of the Week: Amsterdam Public Library

This week’s Bookshelf of the Week is this wonderful shot taken by Jenny Levine (aka The Shifted Librarian), showing the children’s area of the new(ish) Amsterdam Public Library (otherwise known as the OBA). With a totally bespoke seating area located in the centre of the floor space, the reader is cocooned by the circular bookshelves which surround it. A fantastic reading space I’m sure you’ll agree, but these bookshelves show only a fraction of the innovative design contained within this, the biggest, and undoubtedly the most impressive, library in the Netherlands.

To see more of the OBA take a look at this video on YouTube, the creation of bicyclemark. Unfortunately not a lot of of this 6:30 minute video shows the circular bookshelves (aside from a brief glimpse around 1:43) but this video is still well worth watching; if only to see the wonderfully creative reading nooks that the OBA contains. Among the seating choices for readers are the architecturally stunning reading pods (2:37), which aside from looking like mini-spaceships offer total privacy. Or what about the built-in window seats (3:24), which offer sublime reading views across the urban landscape? Also keep an eye out for the ‘iMacs on a stick’ (2:33), which I think are a splendid idea!

If you’re thirsty for more then you may also want to check out Matahina’s sprawling Flickr photo set featuring the Amsterdam Public Library, which show many of the features spoken about above, and more.

All that remains is to thank Jenny again for her wonderful shot, and for sharing it so generously. The biggest thanks though must go to the designers of the Amsterdam Public Library, for offering readers one of the most remarkable contemporary reading spaces. If more libraries followed this model then the trend for the decline in visitor numbers would surely be reversed.

So folks, is the OBA your idea of reading heaven, or is a more traditional venue your preference? I’d love to hear your views.