The upcoming closure of the Almere Buiten library will lead to hoarding at the ‘mini library’ in the area

The mini library of Carin Fiere from Almere has been doing good business for a number of weeks. The initiator of the neighborhood library has seen the crowds increasing since the real library in Almere Buiten announced that its doors will be closed for more than a month from March 30. “People are already stocking up on extra books,” says Carin. “Children’s books and thrillers in particular are selling very fast.“

The New Library in Almere Buiten will be open again from May 6, at a temporary location at Keerkringplein 18. Until then, library visitors can go to one of the other branches in Stad, Haven or Poort.

And therefore also at Carin’s mini library, in the Faunabuurt. Since the temporary closure was announced, she has seen the crowds increase, she says. “The mini library now attracts 10 to 25 people a day, especially on days with nice weather. People are taking many more books with them: I suddenly see that half of the children’s books are gone.”

Inventory is dwindling

Almere has several mini libraries: bookcases in residents’ gardens, where interested parties can borrow books. “The intention is that if you pick up a book, you also return a book,” Carin emphasizes. These may also be books from yourself or from other shelves.

For the past two weeks, people have been taking more and more books with them. So much that Carin is afraid that she will no longer be able to fill the cupboards. “I have quite a supply, but you don’t know what will happen if things go even faster than they are now. I speak to people who are afraid that they will no longer have access to the area.”

New books

New book donations are therefore very welcome. “Children’s books in particular are selling fast, but thrillers and novels are also popular,” says Carin. She shares via her Facebook page which books are still available and people who have spare books can come forward.

Due to renovations, the New Library must move to the temporary new location on Keerkringplein. The library says that the renovation will take at least a year. The library will then return to its old location at Baltimoreplein 112, which is open until March 30.