Otrokovice are preparing a reconstruction of the city library in the Baťov area

Otrokovice - Otrokovice in the Zlín Region are preparing to renovate the city library in the Baťov area. The building will have a new roof, windows, and a modern interior, announced today to ČTK the spokesperson of the Otrokovice Town Hall, Lenka Vaculová. The restoration is planned for next year.

"The main space of the library and its operational and functional arrangement no longer meets contemporary requirements for modern municipal libraries. In addition to preserving the book collection, it should primarily serve an educational and cultural-social function, which the space will be adapted for. We are planning a raised stage that can be used for educational lectures, author readings, public screenings, as well as entertaining discussions," said Barbora Galatík Šopíková, head of the municipal department of education and culture. There are also plans for a projector and mobile furniture. "The project further proposes study areas equipped with fixed PCs, quiet reading nooks, or a gallery wall," the head stated.

The renovation of the library branch will cost 11.5 million crowns, with a European grant covering 9.8 million crowns. The plan includes modifications to the restrooms; the unused cloakroom with a shower will be replaced by a space for the library staff's facilities, an office, a smaller cloakroom with a cleaning corner, and restrooms.

The building housing the library was constructed during the period of so-called Baťa functionalism. "This architecture was characterized by the use of exposed brickwork, concrete, and glass. The brick reference is also a significant element of the building's facade. The color scheme of the interior thus works with the primary colors, where blue, silver, and white represent the colors of the city, while the brick facing strip adds the necessary warm atmosphere to the interior. At the same time, it will carry the reference to the tradition of the original architecture," stated Aleš Doležel from the city's development department.

According to Mayor Hana Večerková (ANO), the impetus for the renovation of the library was primarily the poor technical condition of the roof. "Instead of patching the holes that would recur over the years, we decided to develop a project that would address not only the construction modifications but also improve the internal space. Thanks to the obtained grant, we can start with the implementation. The Baťov branch of the city library is an important part of the services provided in Baťov," the mayor stated. According to her, in addition to readers, students from the nearby primary school regularly come to this library for lessons.