The library in "Ladech" is being moved by Česká Lípa to larger premises

Česká Lípa – The second largest branch of the city library in the Lada housing estate is being moved to new, larger premises. If coronavirus measures allow, it is aimed to open in June on International Children's Day. The new branch has been established on Komenského Street just a few dozen meters from the original one, said city hall spokesperson Kristýna Kňákal Brožová today to ČTK.

"The original branch was in the basement of an apartment building, but water was leaking into the room, there was little light, and an insurmountable barrier was the two flights of stairs leading to the branch," described the reasons for the move, the city hall spokesperson. The city therefore decided to renovate the ground floor of the recently insulated building next door for the needs of the city library.

"The space has created a large bright room together with new restrooms and also facilities for the librarians. The complete construction modifications, including water and electrical installations, were carried out by the company Versana for about four million crowns," said Deputy Mayor Martin Brož (ANO).

The new branch will thus be accessible not only for the disabled or seniors. "By relocating the library, we have also contributed to greater safety in the area, as the space and its immediate surroundings will be under constant supervision due to the library's operation. I wish the readers that the epidemiological situation will allow the library to open as planned, and that they will enjoy the new space," added Mayor Jitka Volfová (ANO).

The Česká Lípa city library has 140,000 items in its collection, and about 600 people use its services on a daily basis during normal operations. In addition to the main building at T.G. Masaryk Square just a few steps from the town hall, it has three branches in the Lada, Špičák, and Holý Vrch housing estates, two lending locations in senior citizens' homes, and a branch in the nearby municipality of Dobranov.

In recent years, the branch in Špičák, located in a former kindergarten, underwent an expensive reconstruction. The redevelopment for 35 million crowns resulted in a community center, which, alongside the library, also provided space for the Česká Lípa branch of the United Organization of the Blind and Visually Impaired of the Czech Republic. The main building of the library remains problematic, as it is also not barrier-free. According to Volfová, the city plans to announce an architectural competition for the construction of a new main building next year.