The former Ostrava kindergarten has been transformed into a library

Ostrava – The former kindergarten on Podroužková Street in the Ostrava district of Poruba has transformed into a library with a literary café and a multifunctional room. The surroundings have also been modified, creating children's playgrounds and parking spaces. This was announced to journalists today by the spokesperson of the city council, Andrea Vojkovská.

"The library in the densely populated Poruba district operated for many years in provisional and inadequate spaces. It served 16,000 readers annually and lent them 50,000 books. Importantly, the project did not only address the building but also fundamentally revitalized and functionally supplemented the surrounding public space," said Deputy Mayor Zuzana Bajgarová (ANO).

The two-story building has the ground floor dedicated to the children's and adult sections of the library and the literary café, while the adult literature department will be located above them. The facility also includes a multifunctional hall with new conference spaces. The barrier-free facility includes offices, kitchenettes, and restrooms. The building also features a terrace in the park area.

The building, constructed in 1982, has been undergoing reconstruction since September 2019 at a cost of 50.9 million crowns. "Currently, the library interiors are being furnished, which will cost around 6.5 million crowns. The furniture is partially designed to be mobile for possible changes in layout. A book return box will be placed at the entrance, accessible from the outside," the spokesperson added.

The library will now utilize three-quarters of the reconstructed building's area, which is nearly 800 square meters. The children's section will be adjusted to accommodate both teenagers and the youngest readers. "Our intention is to create an open space that, in addition to the basic library services, will offer leisure and educational activities and provide a background for socially beneficial projects and activities supporting family and intergenerational coexistence," stated Miroslava Sabelová, director of the Ostrava City Library, under which the Poruba branch falls. A park with children's playgrounds and parking for 25 cars has been created around the building. However, libraries are currently closed due to government regulations related to coronavirus measures.