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Amsterdamse Openbare Bibliotheek Review

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Amsterdamse Openbare Bibliotheek

Address: Oosterdokskade 143, Centrum, Amsterdam
Phone: 020/523-0900
www.oba.nl

Amsterdam Public Library

Category: Architectural Sites, Educational Institutions
Location: Old City Center

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Fodor's Review:

Europe's biggest public library opened in July 2007, offering a multifarious collection of information to about 7000 visitors per day. The 80-million-euro building, designed by architect Jo Coenen, replaces the old and sorely cramped Prinsengracht location and is run by 200 employees dressed in imaginative outfits created by fashion guru Aziz Bekkaoui. The "bieb," as locals call it, has a big theater, seminar and conference rooms, art spaces, and an extensive music library. A superb children's section with circular reading corners is set below a terraced central lounge area. Park yourself in the comfy designer furniture and peruse a mind-boggling international magazine collection. With 1,200 desks, half of them connected to internet PCs, you can study and surf in peace, for free. It's so welcoming you might want to hang out all day, or just drop in to browse the paper, socialize in one of the cafés, or eat a fresh feast in the seventh-floor Marché restaurant, while enjoying a spectacular view over the city.