New life for closed library branches

The six branches of The Hague Public Library slated to close as of January 2013 will get a new lease on life as neighbourhood libraries. Mariahoeve will also get a library in 2015.

In 2013 six of the 18 library branches will close due to municipal budget cuts. Each city district will keep at least one large library branch. However, sometimes library branches are too far away for primary school children and the elderly to get to. This is why neighbourhood libraries will be created.

More than a book collection

Neighbourhood libraries will be established in Moerwijk, Bouwlust, Benoordenhout, Spoorwijk, Statenkwartier/Duinoord and the Schilderswijk. They will be housed in community centres, nursing homes and so-called ‘brede buurtscholen’ and will be manned by volunteers.

Each neighbourhood library will have a collection of between 2,500 and 4,000 books. It will be possible to reserve materials from other branches and have them delivered to different locations. The neighbourhood library will be open at least three days a week for at least three hours a day.

A neighbourhood library will open in Mariahoeve in 2015, probably in the Vuurvlinder primary school. The school will be converted into a ‘brede buurtschool’ with community services.

Deputy Mayor Ingrid van Engelshoven (Education and Public Services) said, ‘The neighbourhood libraries will become much more than a collection of books which can be borrowed. They will also reinforce the social cohesion in the neighbourhood. Young and old will benefit from this.’

Where will the new libraries be located?

District	New neighbourhood library	instead of
Centrum	Buurthuis De Mussen	Schilderswijk
Escamp	Erasmusschool and the Petrus Dondersschool	Bouwlust
Escamp	Coornhertcentrum (temporarily, thereafter in De Kleine Wereld and Cor Emousschool)	Moerwijk
Haagse Hout	Verzorgingshuis Oostduin	Benoordehout
Laak	De Oase	Spoorwijk
Scheveningen	Henri Couvéehuis	Statenkwartier/Duinoord
Haagse Hout (as of 2015)	De Vuurvlinder

More information

• Bibliotheek Den Haag