According to Sybesma, the new location offers more opportunities to turn the library into a meeting place. “More generally, in this new location we can take a step forward in our development towards a broader library function.” Visitors can borrow books and read the newspaper or magazine in the reading café, but they can also go there for, for example, the language point or for support in completing government documents digitally. “These possibilities already exist, but they will be better reflected in this new location. Especially if we also do something with catering in this building.”
In short, the library is happy with the upcoming move, but under one important condition, reports Sybesma. “Our great preference is that we are not the only party in this new home. We currently share a building with the museum and with the ToReCo Foundation (tourist information, ed.).
This has the great advantage that we can keep longer opening hours, because that way there is someone there more often.” That is why the library would also like to collaborate with other parties in the new location. “ToReCo would be a good option in our opinion, but we are also thinking of social work, education or senior citizen associations, for example.”
An alternative for Coevorden would be to become a so-called ‘Open+ library’, just like in Beilen. In that case, members can enter every day between 7:00 AM and 10:00 PM with their library card, so that a wider opening can be arranged in this way. “That could be an option for this city, but that is not our first approach. We see quite a lot of visitors in Coevorden who come in for a chat, a cup of coffee or to read the newspaper and they are not all members of the library. We want to continue to welcome those people to the new location, in an accessible way.”
The library is currently not taking any steps to prepare for the move. “For us, it is still a matter of time and we are waiting for further decision-making,” says Sybesma. “We are in close contact with the municipality of Coevorden about this.” Developer Peter van Dijk, who will realize the new complex, reported to RTV Drenthe last week that construction can start next year at the earliest. The plan is for ten luxury apartments in the new building.