Prachatice is building a new library and educational center, which is to be completed in 2026

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Prachatice - Prachatice today began building the Multifunctional Library and Education Center (MKVC). It will be created by converting the former fire station on Ševčíkova Street and simultaneously with an extension. The center will include a library with open selection, modern lending technologies, a lecture hall, conference or meeting spaces, a study room, and a café. There will be a parking lot for staff, guests, and deliveries in the basement. The total costs will be 199.4 million CZK including VAT, with 68 million covered by a European grant. It is expected to be completed in June 2026, representatives from the city, library, and contractor said today during the ceremonial laying of the foundation stone.

"This will not only solve the problem of the dismal state of the existing library, which no longer meets requirements in various aspects including accessibility, energy efficiency, and attractiveness, but also the problem of the dilapidated building of the former fire station located within a broader heritage reserve. And all this just a few steps from the high school,” said the mayor of the city, Jan Bauer (ODS).

Last year, more than 90,000 people visited the current library on Husova Street, which organized over 300 cultural and educational events. It runs a university for seniors. One of the issues is the limited capacity and outdated technical equipment, which cannot be further developed within the historical building's conditions.

The new center will have three floors, where people will find a section for adult readers, a study room with a regional collection, a children's section, a reading room with a literary café, spaces for lifelong learning and meetings. The open selection should contain around 80,000 books, and it will be equipped with modern technologies for self-lending and returning books, as well as return boxes. The books will be equipped with RFID security, i.e., codes related to borrowing and protecting books from theft.

Construction will take 20 months. "Since we will be building using the Design and Build method, the project needs to be completed according to the architectural design, which should be ready by February next year,” Bauer added. Demolition work will last until April, and the rough construction should stand by October next year. Completion of the construction is expected in June 2026. The contractor is the Prachatice Library Company, which brings together two firms - Auböck, s.r.o. and PROTOM Strakonice, s.r.o.

The investor is the city, which will pay 199.4 million CZK including VAT, and 68 million will be covered by grants from the Integrated Regional Operational Program (IROP) 2021–2027. These are construction costs; additional funds will be needed for equipping the center. The estimate is 13 to 15 million CZK. "We will still hold a competition for that, part could again be covered by grants,” said Bauer.

The construction of MKVC will affect traffic on Požárníků, Lázeňská, and Ševčíkova streets. In certain periods around the construction site, parking will not be possible, and some roads will be impassable. The city will inform about transport changes through its website, Facebook, and mobile broadcasting. During construction, dust and noise levels in the area around the construction site may increase, and there may be more trucks on the road.

The two buildings where the current library is located can be used by the city for its needs, for associations, or even sold, according to Mayor Bauer. The city will still look for their purpose, Bauer added.