Library

I love libraries and the library in Roskilde is no exception.

entrance as viewed from the park across the street*

The library was built about 1960 and was expanded in 1980 and 1996.  This means the outside is not beautiful, but there are several courtyards and an enormous amount of space.

one of the courtyards*

The city purchased the land, about 5000 square meters, from the noble monastery (Adelige Jomfrukloster) and left some land for a garden, which is around back.

the library garden*

The children's section has English picture books, a few beginner reader books, and lots of novels.  There is a small selection of English books on cd and movies, too.  The Danish selection of books is fantastic and there are many non-book items, too, like Xbox and Nintendo games.  Off of the main children's room is a section with board books, puzzles, and large toys.  The large room has many computers, a place to draw, comfortable places to sit, and a few toys.  A. thinks these are nothing compared to his favorite part, which is the wall with three flat-screen televisions for three different game systems, including Wii.

playing Wii

R. prefers to hang out in the children's section, even though she has read all the English books.  If I am with her we go downstairs to the English room, which many libraries have to promote the country's second language (englesk for alle).  Not only do they have novels, but also graphic novels, movies, and an enormous selection of books on cd.  It is also here that I pick up The Copenhagen Post, the English weekly paper.

Non-fiction English books are shelved right next to Danish ones.  It would be fantastic to be truly bilingual and not care whether the economics book or art book were in Danish or English.  Sometimes I just browse to see what is around, but usually end up with science and travel books.  Also in the adult section are a magazines (a few in English) and newspapers in many languages.

Our main source of books is not from the Roskilde collection, but books we get through interlibrary loan.  Many evenings I find myself with a list of books from some site (Printz awards, Nancy Keane, and of course The Fourth Musketeer), checking reviews to see if it is the right level and something the kids would like, and then checking if it is available here.  It is sometimes wonderful because there are lots of great books, but sometimes I'll find a whole genre that is in the system, but does not circulate.  Worse than that was when I gleefully put several books on hold only to receive an email days later saying the book may have been listed, but it wasn't really available.  Aaargh!  How did my parents manage in Hungary in the early 1970's?

The check-out and return system involves a machine that scans the bar code and prints a receipt.  When returning books the machine will scan the bar code and post a message directing the patron to return the book through an opening in the machine or to place it on the rolling cart, separating fiction from non-fiction.  Returning books after-hours requires a library card to open the return area, which has a scanner, too.  A receipt is given and then the return area closes.

The hours are decent.  Monday through Thursday the library is open 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., and Sunday (September through April) noon - 4 p.m.

My least favorite part of the library is the intersection right in front of it.  The bike lane dead ends at a moderately busy street, but we have started using the crosswalk instead of cycling across.  It seems odd to me that there is no bus that goes right to the library, but it hasn't been a problem for us.

The library also has unusual public art, community events, and activities during the school vacations.  Who could ask for anything more?

*photos found through Google images