The National Library faces a fine from heritage protectors for the renovation of Klementinum

Prague - The National Library (NK) is facing a fine for mistakes made during the renovation of the baroque Clementinum. Certain modifications, such as the replacement of windows, were carried out by the company without a binding statement from Prague's heritage conservationists. Jan Kněžínek, head of the municipal department of monuments, told ČTK that he had to initiate administrative proceedings with the library as the manager of the Clementinum.
    The outcome could be the imposition of a penalty, according to the law, up to a theoretical amount of four million koruna, although in this case, according to Kněžínek, it would be a fine of a few tens of thousands of koruna. Czech Television drew attention to the problem on Monday.
    According to Kněžínek, these mistakes are more of an administrative than a heritage conservation issue. Renovations of heritage sites are always carried out based on a statement from the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) and municipal heritage conservationists. While the NPÚ issued a statement in this case, municipal officials reportedly were not asked for their input.
    "However, we cannot yet say that it has harmed the heritage site," said Kněžínek. Next week, heritage conservationists are preparing to inspect the premises again.
    The Ministry of Culture (MK) recently announced a selection process for a new head of the NK. Candidates may apply until December 6. The selection committee will be interested in the candidates’ opinions on the reconstruction of the Clementinum and the construction of storage facilities in Hostivař. They are also required to submit a development concept for the NK and its financing for the years 2011 to 2016.
    However, a change in the library's leadership is unlikely to have a significant impact on the continuation of the renovation. "With the onset of the new NK leadership, it is, of course, possible to theoretically consider some transitional radical measures, but that is really theoretical speculation," said ministry spokesperson Stanislav Brunclík to ČTK.
    According to him, the outcome of the public administration control through an internal audit by the MK, which follows a forensic audit, may also play a role. "However, we must realize that radical solutions in progress may cause more harm than good," added Brunclík.
    The construction is being undertaken by the companies Metrostav and Arstav. The renovation of the Clementinum and the related completion of the storage facility in Hostivař has faced criticism from various quarters for some time. Architects have complained that no proper architectural competition was held for the reconstruction of the Clementinum. Some people are also upset that the reconstruction has seemingly definitively buried the hopes for the construction of a new building based on the design by architect Jan Kaplický.
    Others point to the uncertain financing of the project, which is expected to cost three billion koruna and is supposed to be completed in 2015. According to the media, the library's management has not yet demonstrated that it has prepared a comprehensive budget for the reconstruction. Library director Pavel Hazuka has also been criticized, for instance, for allegedly only sporadically communicating with the eleven-member expert team he assembled to oversee the reconstruction.