The final phase of the Klementinum repairs will not begin until next year

Prague - The National Library will not limit its operations in Klementinum this year, as it announced a year ago. It will not initiate the originally planned third phase of the revitalization of the baroque complex, which was supposed to cost nearly one billion crowns. A public tender for this part of the repairs, during which the service hall will be reconstructed among other things, will be announced shortly. "If everything goes without complications, work could begin at the end of this year or in spring 2018. Preparatory work is already underway," said library spokesperson Irena Maňáková today in response to a query from ČTK. Revitalization of Klementinum has lasted nearly ten years and is expected to cost almost two billion crowns.

At the beginning of last year, the NK announced that it would limit its services to readers in various ways until 2019. This raised concerns among some students and researchers. The biggest limitations of services and access to books were supposed to occur this year, when the third and final phase of revitalization was originally set to begin. At worst, up to 80 percent of the NK's approximately seven million collections could be inaccessible, which equates to over five million volumes.

However, now the deputy for library collections and services, Hanuš Hemola, stated on the NK's website that the third phase, which involves the renovation of the service hall, all study rooms, and the block leading to Platnéřská Street, will not start this year. The second phase, which has been ongoing since 2012, is expected to be completed in the first half of the year. During this phase, the wing along Křižovnická Street and the buildings around the Student Courtyard were renovated. The final and most expensive phase, according to current plans, is set to begin next year and, according to earlier statements by the appointed director of the NK, Petr Kroupa, it is expected to last two, but more likely three years. Even after construction is completed, it will take some time for the necessary climate for the old books to return to the historic site.

The library spokesperson confirmed to ČTK today that alternative spaces are planned for the most critical period. The NK intends to use them for about three years but does not want to specify their location precisely before signing a lease agreement with the owner.

After the completion of the reconstruction of the entire Klementinum complex, about 1.5 million books should be housed in the historic library, a third less than before the renovations. Most will be in the Hostivař depository, where there are currently 5.5 million volumes, with plans to accommodate ten million volumes after its completion. However, librarians criticize the option that replaced the idea of a new building because frequent transfers of books burden the library, important operations are also located in Hostivař, and there is a renewed consideration of a new building at the NK. However, completing the renovations at Klementinum is the priority for the management.

Kroupa has been at the helm of the library for nearly two years, having joined at a time when the revitalization of Klementinum was not progressing, reportedly due to a poor project for the last phase of renovations. Kroupa commissioned a new study, prepared by the Architekti Hrůša & spol. studio. Based on this study, the general project manager for the revitalization, Metroprojekt Praha, prepared the project documentation for building permits and zoning proceedings.