Česká Lípa will announce an architectural competition for a library, now it is looking for someone to oversee it

Česká Lípa - Česká Lípa wants to announce an architectural competition for the design of a new city library, which it plans to build at Jeřábkov's Square. It will be located on a vacant lot and must also utilize buildings 158 and 159 that remained on the square after the partial demolition of an inn. The city hall is now looking for someone to secure the competition, CTK found out today from the city profile. The same approach has already been tried in Česká Lípa with the reconstruction of Škroup's Square. The city hall estimates the cost of constructing the library at 200 million crowns and wants to apply for a grant for the project.

"The library should be a source of pride for Česká Lípa, and I believe that architects will design a building that will serve not only as a library but also as a community center, a center of education. The current main library building is in poor technical condition, does not meet accessibility requirements, and does not meet modern needs," said mayor Jitka Volfová (ANO) to CTK earlier. According to her, the new building at the corner of Tržní and Prokopa Holého Streets will allow for further development of the library and the expansion of its services.

According to councilor for culture Michal Prokop (Živá Lípa), readers are mainly waiting for the construction of the new main library building, as they visit not only to borrow books. "They also participate in many interesting lectures and other small cultural events that the library organizes. The library's activity in this regard is extraordinary and deserves to have appropriate facilities for these activities, as has been successfully built in the newly renovated branches in Špičák and Ladech," the councilor added.

Discussions about new spaces for the city library in Česká Lípa have been ongoing for over 20 years, along with the reconstruction of the theater and the construction of an outdoor swimming pool, which are among the city's priorities. The city hall also considered the possibility of moving the library to the Crystal Cultural House, which is undergoing reconstruction, but the construction of a new building in the gap between Tržní Street and Jeřábkov's Square was prioritized. Initially, the city hall wanted to build a theater there, but ultimately decided to reconstruct the original Jirásek Theatre building, thus allowing the space to be used for the library.