Bibliotheek Neude, Utrecht

Utrecht with its population of about 360 000 is the fourth biggest city in the Netherlands, located quite close to Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Here the New Library (Bibliotheek Neude) is housed in an old post office building from 1924. It is a national monument and a landmark building influenced by art deco elements. It has been a challenge to refurbish the premises to be a modern library, but the change has been successful. The monumental main hall has its old character, but many other areas have been totally changed. There is a good number of reading and working places. The collection is outstanding and includes a good variety of music and film. With the building´s strong image of an old post office, it is important to market outside the new role of the interior.  But that has not been done. Another problem is the conditions for users with a handicap, using walkers, wheel chairs, and prams. LRE visited the library when the handicap lift was out of use. The other entrance for disabled through the restaurant seemed to be very difficult to use without an attendant. FIVE stars: Excellent