Library of the future 

Knowledge sharing and knowledge development are at the heart of tomorrow’s world. The Library plays an important role in this. It is home not only to an extraordinary collection of books, but also to staff who support teaching and research. Their efforts range from helping people find scientific sources to publishing research and exchanging research data. It therefore makes sense for the Library to accommodate the UvA Data Science Centre, where data scientists from all faculties exchange innovative methods and techniques in data science. 

The Library encourages discovery, development, research and meetings. As this landmark building has over 350 different rooms, there is every opportunity to pursue this. For the design of the Library, extensive research was carried out into students’ needs. This confirmed that students like to study while surrounded by books. The 24 study rooms therefore have study spaces situated in the middle of the room, flanked by walls with books from floor to ceiling. Clear wayfinding makes it easy to find the collection in each room. The study spaces are equipped with sensors, so students can always see online where space is available. Besides studying in peace, there are plenty of opportunities to meet and work together. Areas for cooperation range from a brainstorming room with a real tree and whiteboard tables and walls, to a project room in the tower room. 

Lecturers and researchers can use various rooms and areas for lectures, presentations or events. The most monumental space is the Surgical Theatre (Chirurgisch Theater), which, in the early 20th century, served as an operating theatre where medical students received lectures in the former hospital.

Not only has the space been renovated in its original style, the newly created atrium with glass canopy is simply breath-taking. This is the central area of the Library with the information and lending desk, interactive floor plan, space to meet and hold events. The University Library in the University Quarter is going to be a place where everyone will feel at home. 

If you want to see more of the Library of the future, watch this video featuring Peter-Paul Verbeek, Robbert Dijkgraaf, Elise Richter and students’ initial reaction.

Making of the new university library

Episode 1

What design choices were made? And how was this building from 1897 transformed into a library for the future? In episode 1, Edith Hooge, president of the Executive Board, takes us through the building's strengths and the wide-ranging opportunities it offers teaching staff and researchers. Architects Roberto Meyer (MVSA Architects) and André van Stigt (Buro J. van Stigt) explain how the design coherently fused the old and the new. And Tijm Lanjouw, researcher at the Faculty of Humanities' 4D Research Lab, shows us how the building evolved over time, along with a 4D reconstruction.

Episode 2

In episode 2 of ‘The making of the new UB’ trilogy, we will take you through the construction challenges that emerged along the way. Executive Board Member Jan Lintsen and project manager Tom Looman explain where the biggest challenges for this building lay. Professor of Hebrew, Aramaic and Syrian languages and cultures at the Faculty of Humanities Irene Zwiep immerses you in the meaning behind the letters on the new wing’s façade screen. And managing director of the Amsterdam Centre district committee Amélie Strens talks about the collaboration with the municipality of Amsterdam, and the importance of this building and its students in the city centre.