<Národní knihovna stěhuje kvůli přestavbě Klementina 800.000 knih> The National Library is relocating 800,000 books due to the renovation of Klementinum

Prague - The National Library of Prague (NK) is currently relocating approximately 800,000 books due to the renovation of Klementinum. There are so many volumes that if they were placed one after another, they would form a line approximately 16 kilometers long. The relocation of books will last until the end of this year, so library services will be partially limited, NK's general director Tomáš Böhm informed ČTK today.
    "All steps are planned and executed in a way that minimizes the impact on our users," added Böhm.
    The documents designated for relocation are divided into 14 sections and will be moved gradually. "The suspension of loans will only affect titles in the currently relocated section. Others will remain available to users," said the NK director.
    Experts oversee the relocation of the volumes. "This involves works from the 19th century to the present. Our goal is to minimize the stress on documents during physical handling, so we have secured spaces that are already the final storage," said the director of the NK Communication Department, Irena Maňáková. The new storage facilities already meet all requirements for storing library collections, including efficient air conditioning.
    Once the books are moved, construction modifications to Klementinum will begin, such as the so-called Křižovnická corridor, where the Klementinum Gallery is currently located, and the entire wing of the complex from the Church of the Most Holy Savior to Platnéřská Street.
    The revitalization of the National Library began last year and is expected to last until 2016. It includes not only the renovation of Klementinum itself but also the expansion of services.