The new depository of the Central Bohemian Scientific Library has expedited the process of borrowing books

Kladno – The new depository of the Central Bohemian Scientific Library in Kladno has expedited the process of borrowing books. The library previously used several external warehouses from which employees had to transport ordered books. Now the volumes are stored in a modern depository with a shelving system for easy handling. The building provides suitable conditions for the long-term storage of books, said library director Tomáš Ondrášek to ČTK at yesterday's ceremonial opening of the depository. The relocation of documents to the depository finished last November, and this May, the building was fully approved, including the assignment of a descriptive number.

The depository was built according to the design of architect Pavla Olšáková. "The emphasis was placed on functionality and maximum use of volume according to the brief. As an architect, I didn’t want to design a storage hall, but a building that is welcoming to the street. Therefore, we created a lowered ground floor, and the terrace reduces the height of the building, giving it a residential impression," the architect described her work.

The library is 250 meters away from the depository. The transport of volumes will be ensured by cars, and in urgent cases, librarians have access to two electric scooters. One can reach the depository on an electric scooter in 70 seconds, including waiting at traffic lights. The building has two large storage warehouses and one with enhanced protection, which houses, among other things, the most valuable book in the area. It was published in France in 1719 and contains Latin-written, presumably medical notes. The building also features a digitization workplace and a bookbinding workshop; in addition to technical conditions, there are significantly better facilities for employees.

The relocation of over half a million volumes from previous warehouses in the autumn took more than two weeks. The total capacity of the space is over 800,000 documents, with filling it expected to take 24 years.

Construction of the depository began in September 2019, with preparations starting several years earlier. It was necessary to purchase an appropriate plot of land near the library and also to apply for a European grant that covered most of the costs amounting to 144 million crowns. According to the director, although costs for operating external warehouses will decrease, the current rise in energy prices means that the annual operating costs of the depository will be significantly higher than the expected one million crowns.

The Central Bohemian Scientific Library in Kladno is a public regional library, established in 1897 originally as a community library. It is now located in the former District House built in 1910 according to the designs of architects Josef Mařík and Karel Šidlík, which is a cultural monument.