Amsterdam Public Library is locally known as the Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam (OBA) is an organization of public libraries in Amsterdam, Diemen, along with the Ouder-Amstel in the Netherlands.
Location and opening hours of OBA
Amsterdam Public Library is situated on Oosterdokseiland, right east of Amsterdam Central Station. OBA is open from 10:00 to 22:00, daily except public holidays.
Address: Oosterdokskade 143, 1011 DL Amsterdam, Netherlands.
History of OBA
Amsterdam Public Library is the first library that was opened in 1919 at the Keizersgracht in Amsterdam.
In 1977, the Central Library of OBA was opened at the Prinsengracht and then moved to the Oosterdokseiland in 2007.
Collection of OBA
In 2018, the OBA acquired around 177,000 members, and over 1.3 million books, objects, CDs, and DVDs in its collection.
The OBA also has various collections with books of the history of Amsterdam, along with books from the Dutch authors such as Hella Haasse, Boudewijn Büch, and Gerard Reve.
OBA holds children’s books from the 17th-21st century.
Branch Libraries of OBA
Amsterdam Public Library hols about 26 branches in Amsterdam, Duivendrecht, Ouderkerk aan de Amstel, and Diemen.
The largest branch is the Central Library also called OBA Oosterdok, located at the Oosterdokseiland, on the east of Amsterdam Centraal station.
Central Library of OBA
The Central Library has a floor surface of 28,500 m2, over ten floors, 1200 seats, out of which 600 has Internet-connected computers and a staff of 200 members.
Facilities of OBA
The library features an auditorium, the Library Museum, an exhibition room, the Gerard Reve Museum, and about 2000 parking spaces for bicycles.
On the 7th floor, there is a V&D La Place self-service restaurant along with a south-facing terrace.
OBA StudyShare room
StudyShare is free and is situated in the central library. The 3-hour studying blocks include 3x45 minutes with two scheduled 15-minute breaks, announced by a bell.