DORDRECHT – This year marks the 125th anniversary of the opening of the first public library. On May 1, 1899, the Public Reading Room and Library opened its doors in Dordrecht. This year the library, now called Bibliotheek AanZet, can blow out 125 candles. (Archive photo: Stolk Photography)
After the opening of the first library, the adult population of Dordrecht was welcome, “without regard to gender, class, political opinion or religion.” There were already many libraries in the Netherlands at that time. But there was not yet one where everyone was welcome to read and borrow. And it didn’t stop at Dordrecht.
Men and women
“Men and women were allowed to come to the library in Dordrecht,” says director Ankie Kesseler, “and the worker could sit next to the notary. That was really something special for that time.” From 1904 onwards, the Dordrecht library was also the first in the Netherlands to have a children’s library. This makes Bibliotheek AanZet the oldest library in the Netherlands for everyone. In 1905, Nel Snouck Hurgronje, the first librarian in the Netherlands, was employed. She became the first director. From 1915 onwards, small branches were established in surrounding areas, to which Nel was personally committed. And so the organization expanded.
Jubilee year
From May 1, AanZet will be celebrating for a year. Kesseler opened an exhibition about 125 years of the library in the City Library on the Groenmarkt in Dordrecht. Exhibitions can also be seen in the other AanZet libraries. Furthermore, an anniversary book is in the making and the library will celebrate the anniversary with partners, municipalities and partners from the library sector.
