Years ago when I was trying desperately to learn the French language, someone warned me that nobody actually studied in the library of Centre Pompidou, but that it was a prime spot for flirting. The architect of Amsterdam’s public library; Jo Coenen, must have had something similar in mind when he created the building on the Oosterdok Island because his edifice is so inviting that it’s easy to forget one’s duties.

Photo: Taco Ekkel

Now that it has ceased to be the talk of the town, people are still immensely proud of this library and I fully agree. The huge cube-like facade filled with glass rectangles and framed by a white stone arch transmits immediately what we are dealing with: a building which is meant to be open and easily accessible. The obscurity that I often associate with libraries is gone. In its place is a totally transparent institution which befits a public library.

Photo: Taco Ekkel

As someone who often sneaks into public libraries on holiday, I really recommend this one. Instead of prissy librarians with pearls and cashmere sweaters, the personnel here is friendly, helpful and dressed in clothes from fashion designer Aziz Bekkaoui.

The building is seven floors of delight, and includes cozy hangouts equipped with Mac notebooks to check your email, clever work/study units, a café, and all international magazines and journals you can dream of.

On top of the building is a branch from La Place, a chain I really loathe. Their inferior food and dull services tempers my mood a little. I can’t help thinking it’s such a pain they actually got the facilities to use one of the most beautiful locations of Amsterdam. But then I just take a look at this breathtaking city landscape…

AMSTERDAM PUBLIC LIBRARY, Oosterdokkade 143, Amsterdam