Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam

This is an excellent library in Amsterdam. I really love libraries, and value the role they place in communities. I also enjoy seeing modern libraries, and how their architecture compares with the beautiful old libraries such as the National Library of Ireland, the New York Public Library, and the Edinburgh Central Lending Library. This library is Amsterdam is really well designed. I like it a lot. Spread over seven floors, there are loads of aesthetically pleasing features, such as single person «pods», and a gorgeous view from the top floor. The top floor also houses a large café/​restaurant, with a huge selection of food and drink. Really. You could justify visiting this library just for the food. Definitely recommended.

What a sight for the eyes. I have never seen such an amazing library before. I never wanted to leave! Base color for everything was white, instantly bright. Hey, you’re in a library, the goal is to keep people awake! Not make them more tired than they probably are. This library had energy and made you feel alive.
Have stairs and escalators, because there are multiple levels — and while libraries are boring, dark colors, with no energy or life, it’s not the case here. You want to explore every floor!
Plenty of public computers on various levels. One weird thing was that I put my very small bag on the table beside me/​my mouse, and a library worker came over and told me to put it on the floor. It didn’t make sense why a bag on the table was such a big deal? Or that actually caught his attention. I could only assume they worry about cleanliness of their tables… but still an odd request. It wasn’t a huge messy bag. It was one of those tiny string things that go around your back. But he was friendly and polite, so no matter.
Cute, colorful chairs throughout. I took a cute pic of my mom near the magazines.
My mom and I spent several days here on and off using their computers to email my dad.
They have a café area, and it’s BIG! Like restaurant style big, with cozy looking tables, lots of noise of people eating and chatting. I was waiting to go back to our hostel, but my mom was taking forever using the bathroom upstairs, and by the time she came back down I realized she had been buying goodies! A chocolate cake slice to be exact. Was good, fresh, moist, but not as sweet as I was accustomed to chocolate cakes being.
Bathrooms can sometimes have a line, at least the women’s. I forget if you need to pay, or it’s one of those «recommended tips» type of deal.

The library has a great view and some cool seats. It’s not the best place to work if you’re a visitor since you need a library card for free wifi. But it’s still worth visiting just to relax and look out onto the water. It’s also just a short walk from the train station.

A pretty modern library (I like old ones better though), and it’s a beautiful building. Great example of dutch architecture! (which I loove)
It says it’s the public library, but it’s not very «public». The library’s system kind of sucks in my opnion… You have to pay for being a member (not pay as you go) and it’s not an unlimited membership… :(
Wifi here is NOT FREE. You have to pay extra for anything else in the library. If you want to use the wifi to work, you pay € 1, — per half hour. (if you have a pass though, you get 3 hours of free wifi per day.) If you want, you can work on offline computers for free though (imacs!). It’s a shame, because it’s such a GREAT place to work! It’s got the best view ever, and it’s super chillax. They have small and individual seats (like a little cave) for you to work in, it’s got a great view, it’s got soo many options for you to do work! Maybe it’s worth a membership if you’re a writer? As far as services go, they do printing for you on the 2^nd floor if you need it.
There is an Exhibition space, and study areas. Kids have their own area on the ground floor, with some toys & etc and plenty of books and things to do. At the top floor there is a café and a restaurant with amazing view.

This is a massive library, and so much about it is beautiful, on the inside and the outside. I come from Chicago, where our most impressive library is a big cement box that takes up an entire city block. This library shows that you can have beauty and great architecture and still house lots of books and make a useful space for the community.
My 2 year old’s favorite feature is the escalators, which we can ride up to the top floor and back down again, enjoying the great lighting and artful displays of books along the way. She also enjoys the great children’s section, which is sort of set up as a Secret Garden on the basement level, with kid-​friendly chairs and some toys, and a spiral staircase to a secluded upper platform in the middle of the young adult book section where moody pre-​pubescents can hide away from the world that doesn’t understand them. I like that they have an English section for children’s books, so I can still check out some of my favorite childhood books for my daughter even though I now live in another country. They host regular story time readings which I haven’t been to yet, but I want to do that soon.
Other features of this library that make it such a great community resource are the Macintosh computers that are free for public use, the massive periodicals section, the huge media collection, and the delicious and fancy but expensive café on the top floor that is nice for hosting study groups. Libraries have a reputation for being stuffy buildings that just store books, but this library does so much more by making itself alive with people everywhere.
Pro-​tip: The toilets are next to the entrance, immediately to the left of the doors as soon as you walk in, down a staircase next to the guard station. They cost 20 cents. If you’re with your child however you can use the children’s toilet in the children’s section for free if you get the key from the librarian. It says it’s strictly for children’s use and not adult use, but it saves you having to go down all those stairs to the main toilet while dragging your kid along.

Great library. There are printing services on the second floor, a restaurant and bar with a great view on floor 7 (la place coffee). Events are held in other parts of the library and there is a large audiovisual section. There’s a great kids library and often someone playing the piano on the ground floor

A very special library. Me and my friends were well impressed, esp with the media collections. Yes you have to pay for membership and stuff, but libraries gotta run somehow! I’m from a country where public libraries are being shut down left right and centre, so long live this one. Great café at the top too, def get a tart if you’re up there! lovely staff.

The OpenBare Bibliotheek is very relaxing public library right in the center of Amsterdam and next to the train station. It’s full of students everywhere in the secret weird shaped audio booths that are private, or scattered in comfortable chairs over –looking the water. Either way a very modern library and a great place to hang out and read and then upstairs to la Place (restaurant) for a quick bite to eat.

Overrated in my opinion ! Design is ok, you got a great view from the top floor + a buffet restaurant/​coffee, that’s all. Otherwise, nothing that special about this library. I’ve been to many public libraries in the World (Seattle/​Montréal/​Seoul/​…) and I was more impressed by those ones than the one in Amsterdam. I’m sure there is more interesting things to see in Amsterdam.

It’s a beautiful building and a good place in which to go sit and read or even to have a coffee. They have a limited selection of books in various foreign languages and study rooms.
The Amsterdam library system, however, is not so great. Firstly, you have to pay for membership, which gives you a limited number of books per year, and you have to pay extra for media. You also have to pay for wifi.
Between the librarians at this branch and at OBA Zuid, I haven’t had much luck with Amsterdam librarians. There was a misunderstanding about a book I had ordered and although I had a confirmation email from the library, the ladies at checkout refused to acknowledge it. It was unbelievable. Their English was rather poor so they couldn’t understand what I was saying (or they were in public employee «who cares» mode), but they also refused to speak Dutch with me. It was like talking to a door knob.

I love it here. I always go to this library to pretend I need to do some studying. It’s the intention that counts right?!
Because quite frankly the view is really nice, from the 6^th floor and 7^th floor, see attached pic. And if you look closely, you can see an apple sign in the water!!! ;)
They have opened up the terrace on the 7^th but i’ve seen those filthy pigeons hanging around, and Gawd i hate them, so i choose to stay in, after all I am here to study. But by all means, have a look, I am sure it’s amazing. ~ update May 12, 9pm: it IS amazing! Loving the Dam even more ~
I love the fact that it’s so big, there’s a restaurant on the 7^th floor, there are comfy seats on every floor, a zillion available computers to work from (note: only on 5^th and 6^th floor you can use your usb-​whatevas, handy when your iPhone is dying on you again), a random exhibition now and then, what’s not to like?
Well, i like to question the hygiene factor, as a zillion people use the same keyboard througout the day, there isn’t a payment facility on every floor and it would be nice to have a tech guy around when your computer chokes.
Small things really, because i do love being here, trying to study. Luckily the library closes at 10pm. :)

I really like the modern building of the OBA. And they certainly have a huge collection in certain categories. What’s really disappointing is that they only have old books when it comes to contemporary literature.
I bought the one year membership for € 32.50 last november and I only borrowed one book so far because to me it seems that they stopped buying new books after 2010. So most of the times I do a search in their online catalogue it turns out that they don’t have the book I’m looking for. And yes, this search includes all existing OBAs. Btw, these are books that I find in the library of the small town where I’m from — plus there I could borrow them for free!
But even if I was a bookworm and read everything: the membership fee includes 48 books within this one year period. If you want to get more you have to top up. However, they don’t give you this information when you buy the membership, you only see it on the bonnetje when you borrow the first book — surprise, surprise!
So in the end I paid € 32.50 for nothing and I still have to buy the books I’m interested in.

This is the most impressive public library I’ve ever been to. Unique architecture, loads of books, music, and DVDs, lots of natural light, self check-​in and check-​out machines, it’s all great. The view of Amsterdam from the La Place on the top floor is also awesome. One complaint: I feel like there aren’t enough toilets– there are some on the ground floor as you walk in, some at La Place at the top floor and then I have tried in vain to find others. Otherwise good. Members have free wi-​fi which is also nice.

A giant polar bear, a radio station, a live performance area, far more books than my brain could possibly handle… all in one place! Centrale Bibliotheek is the best library I’ve been in. Hands down. With breathtakingly beautiful architecture and stunning design, it’s a wonder to walk around and there’s something to see around every corner.
We discovered the library on our last day in Amsterdam and were so glad we did. You’ll find the base of Amsterdam FM inside, a large café on the top floor and a truly impressive children’s section. I challenge anyone to come here and not be excited by books. As an avid reader as a child, I just know I would have loved the imaginative and bright section for little people downstairs. Even a little too old for it now, I couldn’t help but smile. Just how any home of books should be. — Wonderful!

The greatness of a city is defined by its arts, culture, and the libraries within. The central library does a really great job at defining Amsterdam’s greatness. I grew up using boring libraries — you know, ones with just stacks of books in the center and little desks on the sides, libraries where there was absolutely no character and connect with the culture of the people. Amsterdam’s central library breaks out of that mold and makes library-​going a really fun thing.
Spread across 7 floors, the library has a distinct personality on each floor. It’s very contemporary, and if not for the thousands of people reading books, you’d mistake it for a modern museum. There’s a balcony at the very top where you could enjoy your summer drinks or just lose yourself in the splendid city views. Behind the balcony is a wonderful restaurant that even serves water for free!
The collection caters to people of all ages, educational background, and even origin, although I have to admit that the English literature is somewhat limited. Additionally, being a part of the bigger Amsterdam libraries system, you get to make use of the collection at other city libraries.
The furniture is very nice and modern. There are sofas, chairs, desks, chairs of all shapes, and even big rectangular foam seats to just lay on. Every floor has a different kind of setting. You could even get one of those personal study pods. There is ample meeting space as well, and a lot of general use computers spread throughout.
Wifi is paid, but your membership covers some usage every day. Speaking of which, there are about 3 levels of memberships, each with its own benefits. You get to checkout a limited number of books or other media every year. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a way to renew or reserve materials online, but a trip to the library is quite pleasurable anyway!
Right at the entrance is a free-​for-​all piano, and you can often experience music emanating from it on the weekends. This is what libraries should be like!

Ciudad pagana a la que acudo, ciudad en cuya biblioteca he de entrar para ver cómo se lo montan en este aspecto que tanto me gusta. La de Amsterdam, a pesar de tener una fama impresionante, en mi opinión no terminaría de merecer podio o, si acaso, solamente un bronce: palidece al lado de maravillas arquitectónicas y conceptuales como la de Seattle.
Y aunque parece que tienen un montón de fondos diferentes, tanto de libros como de otro material multimedia, creo que abusa de la imagen de edificio funcional y adolece, por contra, de un poco de visión comunitaria. Los puestos están bastante pensados para que funciones como un ente individual (visión clásica de funcionamiento de una biblioteca), pero son prácticamente imposibles de aprovechar para trabajos en equipo o todas esas cosas tan bellas que trae el plan Bolonia.
Por otra parte, sus vistas desde la terraza no me parecen tan magníficas como las de otras bibliotecas (sí, miro incluso esto), y de hecho la propia terraza es canija y está abarrotada de mesas y sillas para que te comas los que ponen en la cafetería y luego se quedé todo sucio. Desluce un poco, no así los baños del sótano, que me han parecido maravillosos y me han salvado la vida.

Could be the most stunningly beautiful library in the world today. seven architecturally amazing floors.
Very good, reasonably priced café on the seventh floor with a terrace view of the city that will leave you speechless.
If you live in Amsterdam you will want to be a member for 30 Euros a year.

I wanted to cry this library is so beautiful. If they’d let me, I’d live here. Seriously.
There really isn’t anything more I can add to the already helpful reviews. Just thank you Amsterdam for the best library I’ve ever been to.
Oh wait, I did think of something: Wi-​Fi isn’t free for non-​members. You’re welcome.

What a cool cool place! It is super modern and huge! It is located right by central station, just turn left as you are exiting the main entrance. After about a 5 minute walk you can’t miss the huge «Openbare Bibliotheek» sign. There are comfy chairs, «beds» couches, desks, any many other things scattered all over the library on every floor as well as computers (Mac and PC) which are free to use no matter if you are a member or not. There is a huge selection of magazines on newspapers, as well as CDs/​DVDs. Books are available in many many subjects and all the cases al labels as to what is in them somewhat similar to a bookstore. Books here are not limited to just Dutch books, there is also a selection of books in other languages as well.
Don’t miss going to the top floor for a spectacular (and free) view of Amsterdam from the outside terrace. Also on the top floor is a La Place so you can get some food or drink while you are there as well. Speaking of food there is also a restaurant on the first level as well although I have not eaten there. There even have a mini museum gallery (also free) with rotating exhibits.
This is a great place to visit not only for those who live in Amsterdam but for visitors as well. Can be a nice relaxing break from the walking around the city and you can get some great pictures to take home from that terrace.
I highly highly recommend going and just wandering around the place. you are sure to find something to hold your interest.

Just an incredible nice place to spend time looking for books… reading. surfing the Internet and why not… have a nice drink or some food at the nice restaurant on the top floor (La Place). This building is really amazing!!!
There is also an interesting Pizzeria on the ground floor… not incredibly nice. but it is good stuff for the price :)

The new central library in Amsterdam reaches 2,5 million visitors and users looking for information, culture, communication and education. If your a visitor in Amsterdam for business, vacation, or study abroad, than I would suggest strongly visiting Amsterdam Public Library. They have an amazing view of the city!
Bibliotheek Amsterdam is just east of Amsterdam Central station. The Central Library can be reached by public transport at Amsterdam Central Station. The library is a few minutes walk from Central Station. It is the largest public library in Europe. The Central Library is open 7 days per week from 10 a.m.- 10 p.m. It provides free wifi, music, and food on the 7^th floor. V&D La Place is a self-​service restaurant with a south-​facing terrace that has a magnificent view of this «beautiful historic city». I love this restaurant! It’ s one of the best restaurants near Central station. What impressed me the most was the architecture. Must I repeat, it’s a must see!
Got to love it!

Selten so eine tolle Bibliothek gesehen — hier waren echt Designer am Werk! Puristischer Style und eine tolle Ausstattung was PC’s und Internetzugang betrifft. Die Auswahl an Büchern und Multimedia ist groß. Im Eingangsbereich wartet ein Flügel auf, der zum Spielen frei steht. So kann es passieren, dass ein paar klassische Töné in den Räumlichkeiten widerhallen. In der obersten Etage gibt es günstig Essen und vor allem eine herrliche Terrasse, die nicht nur zum Lunchen einlädt, sondern einen fantastischen Ausblick auf Amsterdam gewährt. Und das alles kostenfrei Sightseeig und Kultur as its best.
Für die Schleckermäuler gibt es auch ein «Va Piano» im Gebäude — hier kann man sich die Lese– oder Lernpause mit mediterranen Genüssen vertreiben.

Als ich diese Bibliothek betreten habe war ich beeindruckt.
Hier gibt es nicht nur viele Bücher aus allen möglichen Fachbereichen und Sprachen (u.a. auch eine ziemlich große Deutsch Abteilung), sondern auch PCs Macs, Konferenzräume und Hörspielstationen und das alles öffentlich zugänglich. Die Internetnutzung ist kostenlos.
Das von eusebia erwähnte Restaurant La Place ist eigentlich mehr ein Bistro, aber dennoch sehr gemütlich, die Preise dort sind moderat. Von der Terrasse hat man übrigens einen wunderbaren Blick auf Amsterdam.