Librarians at the National Library are reconsidering a new building, as the capacity is reportedly insufficient

Prague - Most of the work on the revitalization of the National Library's (NK) residence in Klementinum is aimed at restoring the baroque character of the building. The repair only minimally accommodates the requirements for the operation of a modern library. This is stated in a document prepared by librarians, which is available to ČTK. Therefore, librarians are reconsidering the construction of a new building, from which plans fell through eight years ago. Petr Kroupa, appointed to manage the library, told ČTK in an interview that the intention is not to return to the baroque style and that the librarians themselves are not united on how NK should look. However, he does not dismiss the model of Klementinum and the new building, seeing inspiration abroad.

The document by the librarians points out, among other things, that the respectful restoration of Klementinum and the removal of all later modifications will reduce the capacity of the complex. "It will decrease by almost a third," Kroupa said. The large hallways of the building, which served as offices after modifications, are to be opened and accessible in the future, which will prevent the separation of library operations from public services. Kroupa argues that the fire department demands clear hallways for safety reasons.

According to experts, the library urgently needs additional capacity, but the original plan for expansion involving the use of the underground or partial completion was abandoned. Therefore, they have four options for the future of NK, three of which involve new construction. However, Kroupa says that until Klementinum is repaired, it is not possible to address how and where NK will operate. And the revitalization will take at least another three years.

He considers the restart of the halted renovation of Klementinum to be his greatest success during his year at the helm of the library. He was appointed to manage the library by the Minister of Culture, and for now it will remain that way. "We need to stabilize the situation in the NK, which is currently underway," said MK spokesperson Simona Cigánková to ČTK.

Kroupa is an art historian who previously worked at the National Heritage Institute. "When I took office, the librarians were horrified," he said. "I told them that I would not become a librarian, that I love my profession and that I will stick to it. I would like to undertake a meaningful revitalization and reconstruction of Klementinum, and my strategy is that I do not want to interfere in library matters. They tell me where they want things to be," he stated.

Revitalization began in 2011, but it is currently three years behind schedule. The previous project included plans to undermine the core of the library - the service hall. "The problem is that it is exactly in the places where remnants of the 13th-century monastery are located," he stated. Although this was discovered, the previous management continued to design based on the belief that, with political support, they would obtain the necessary permits. They did not obtain them, elections came, and work stalled for three years until the then-director Tomáš Böhm agreed to resign with the new Minister of Culture in 2015. However, there is talk in the library that Böhm lost support after TOP 09 left the Ministry of Culture, payments for additional work related to the restoration of Klementinum were delayed, and the construction supplier threatened to withdraw.

For the final phase of reconstruction amounting to a billion crowns, a new study has been created, which involves utilizing the underground, but existing spaces below the General Reading Room, which were used as a boiler room and storage. In addition, there will be underground space under the Economic Courtyard. "We agreed with the heritage protection officials that there is nothing valuable there,” said the director. This should create facilities for visitors and for technology - for instance, an automatic conveyor system for books.

This symbolizes the modern library that librarians are calling for, according to Kroupa. "After ordering, the book arrives no later than within 20 minutes," he describes his experience from European libraries. In the case of NK, which has an increasing number of books in deposit in Hostivař, the book must first be brought in by truck, and then it boards a modern conveyor in Klementinum. The journey to the reader takes several hours. Over 250,000 books are transported annually between Klementinum and Hostivař, and this has drawn criticism from librarians.

Regarding his predecessors' decisions to replace a new building with the completion of a central depot, he states: "The whole system is wrong, anyone can see that." However, he will leave the decision on new construction to his successor.