The construction of the new library in Turnov has been delayed; it will open in the middle of 2026

Turnov – The construction of a new library in Turnov has fallen behind schedule. The project, costing more than 111 million crowns, is one of the largest initiatives in the modern history of the city. The construction is delayed by approximately three to four months, but the contractor is trying to catch up; it should be completed by the end of this year, said Mayor Tomáš Hocke (Independent Block) to ČTK. According to him, the new library should be opened to the public in the middle of next year.

Construction of the new library began last April with the demolition of structures that originally served the summer cinema. The cinema will return to the site in the future, and films will be projected onto the library wall. "The library should be structurally finished by December, then there will be about six months for furnishing and equipping the interiors, as that is a more demanding matter. We expect that around the summer or after the summer of 2026, the library could hopefully be open," added Hocke.

The Antonín Marka Municipal Library in Turnov is one of the oldest in the country, celebrating 200 years since its establishment five years ago. Discussions about its relocation from Jeronýmova Street have been ongoing for years in the town of fifteen thousand. The current building does not meet capacity needs, lacking better hygiene and visitor facilities, as well as a community hall; additionally, the building is not wheelchair accessible. The city is now constructing a new library building several hundred meters closer to the center, on Skálova Street. The city hall has obtained 68 million crowns from European funds for the costly project.

The new library building is being constructed based on a design by the A69 - architects studio. The central space of the library is intended to be an analogy to a rock gorge; visitors should discover views and breaks typical for the natural environment of a rocky landscape. The roof will offer a view of the city from a staircase shaded by a shallow-rooted pine tree, as is often found at the top of a rocky massif. "I am very much looking forward to that building," noted Hocke.

Due to the construction, residents and visitors of the city will have to do without the summer cinema this summer, which has been one of the most visited in the country. However, people will not miss out on summer screenings. As last year, according to the mayor, the Sféra cinema in KC Střelnice, which the city has digitalized, will be in full operation. According to him, people have also discovered outdoor screenings offered by the operator of Maškova zahrada, where the outdoor municipal swimming pool is located. It is again planned for this summer.