| Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam | |
|---|---|
| English | Amsterdam Public Library |
| The central library | |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Type | Public library |
| Established | 1919[1] |
| Location | Amsterdam |
| Collection | |
| Size | 1.7M books[2] |
| Access and use | |
| Circulation | 5M books (2005)[3] |
| Members | 175,000 (2007)[3] |
| Other information | |
| Director | J.H.M. van Velzen[1] |
| Staff | 326 employees[3] |
| Website | www.oba.nl |
| Phone number | +31 (0) 20 52 30 900 |
The Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam (Public Library Amsterdam) is a collective name for all public libraries in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The first library opened in 1919 at the Keizersgracht. As of 2007, there are 28 public libraries and 43 lending points, such as in hospitals. In 2005, OBA had 1.7 million books and 165,000 members and lent out 5 million books.
The largest of these libraries, the Centrale Bibliotheek, moved to the Prinsengracht in 1977 and 30 years later, on 7 July 2007 (070707), to the Oosterdokseiland, just east of Amsterdam Centraal station. It is the largest public library in Europe. The complex has a floor surface of 28,500 m2, spread out over 10 floors, 1200 seats, of which 600 with Internet-connected computers and a staff of 200. Also included are an auditorium, an exhibition room, the Library Museum, the Gerard Reve Museum and 2000 parking spaces for bicycles. On the seventh floor is a V&D La Place self-service restaurant with a south-facing terrace. The cost of the project was €80 million. The building was designed by Jo Coenen, the former state architect (Rijksbouwmeester) of the Netherlands, who also designed the nearby KNSM Island, as well as the Central Library of Maastricht, and renovated the distinctive Glaspaleis in Heerlen, which houses its Central Library.
The Central Library is open 7 days per week from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and the lending and returning of books is fully automated.