A new National Technical Library was ceremoniously opened in Prague

Prague - A new building of the National Technical Library (NTK) was ceremonially opened today in Prague. The largest library of technical literature in the country can accommodate more than 1.5 million books. The new six-story building in the shape of a rounded square was presented to journalists by the library director Martin Svoboda. The State Technical Library has relocated its collections here. Part of the libraries of the Czech Technical University and the University of Chemistry and Technology have also found a place here.
    It is expected that around 900,000 people will visit the library each year, where they will find space for study and mutual communication. "Users will become customers who have the freedom to choose where and when to use the library’s information resources or to use it just as their second living room," stated director Svoboda. The entire building has WiFi internet access, 250 computers for the public, a 24-hour study room, options for self-service borrowing and returning of books, and a café with 150 seats.
    On the ground floor, which is open to the public, visitors will find the Dejvice branch of the city library, a café, or a shop for computer accessories. The relaxation area is equipped with colorful poufs arranged in the shape of chemical formulas. The first floor is reserved only for registered users, featuring an open atrium through which one can see to the other floors. The concrete ceilings are adorned with comic characters and scenes, while the floor and the chairs in the study rooms are again in bright colors. In the third to sixth floors, books are available for open selection, currently numbering 220,000. However, the capacity can reach up to half a million volumes. Three floors are also hidden underground, housing a book depository and a parking lot.
    The construction rose in Prague's Dejvice amidst university campuses, costing a total of 2.25 billion crowns. The annual operating cost will be 120 million crowns, ensured by 165 employees. The library was created according to the design by the Projektil studio almost silently beside the heated debates about a new National Library building designed by Jan Kaplický, which was ultimately not realized. The building received the Award from the Club for Old Prague for the best new construction in a historic environment. Unusual technical solutions were used in the construction; for example, there is neither heating nor air conditioning in most rooms.
    Construction began in the autumn of 2006 and was completed in December of last year. Since the Ministry of Education did not have the funds for such a large investment, the construction was financed by a private contractor. The debt will then be gradually repaid by the library. The library plans to generate funds through leasing spaces, such as for the café. The Czech Technical University and the University of Chemistry and Technology also operate in NTK under lease agreements. CTU rector Václav Havlíček told ČTK that they would pay about 3.5 million crowns per year for the lease.
    Although the ceremonial opening took place today, full operations will begin next week. Interested parties can also visit the open house on Thursday and Friday. In the future, various artistic events should also be held in the library, with the first exhibition on artistically interesting theatrical productions opening in October.