Omroep Flevoland – News – Libraries develop new activities: ‘Library is no longer just about books’

You go to the library to borrow a book or to look up information. However? Not entirely true, say employees of Flevomeer Library. There’s a lot more going on. And the libraries recently received extra money from the government to develop even more activities.

It is Tuesday afternoon, but it is busy in the library in Emmeloord. Students walk around recording videos about books for a school assignment. They explain why it is a good book and who it is suitable for.

“These are exactly the kind of activities we would like to see more of in the library,” says Annette Evertsz of Flevomeer Library. The Emmeloord branch received 275,000 euros to develop activities.

Research
This money is partly used to extend opening hours, but also to increase the library’s services. What exactly this entails is being investigated by the library, together with residents.

This could include, for example, the design of a Knowledge Square, as can already be found in Lelystad. Residents can determine what they need. There is ample space for workshops, discussion groups or study opportunities.

Also read: Flevoland will get several new libraries, opening hours will also be extended

School library
Lelystad has also received 275,000 euros. The intention is to transform the school library of the Porteum school campus into a neighborhood library, where local residents can also go. Attention should then be paid to promoting reading and reading pleasure.

We also look at what the students need. “Is that just reading books, or is that having a conversation with a writer?” says Evertsz. Or, for example, should we look at improving reading skills and in what way? The idea is for a project team to get to work with ideas. “It really is an investigation. We are really going to see what it will look like.” She hopes to roll it out in the 2024/2025 school year.

Developing talents
Urk received 200,000 euros. This means the library can also open more often in the morning. The intention is also for the library in Urk to increasingly become a place to develop talents or to meet each other. The municipality has also made a container available to organize activities.

“We are not just going to investigate but also actually do something,” emphasizes Angenita de Jong. From Flevomeer Library she is responsible for Noordoostpolder and Urk. “In fact, everything is possible, as long as it falls under the development of skills and talents and meeting.”

1.3 million for Almere
The library in Almere does not fall under the Flevomeer Library, but it has also received money from the government. There will be two new libraries there. There are also longer employees at the branches in Almere Poort and Buiten. The government will invest a total of 1.3 million euros in Almere. It is not yet clear how exactly that money will be spent.