As you can probably guess, we are huge fans of libraries (one of us worked in public and university libraries for over a decade). So the discovery of a new library is always kind of a thing for us. It is, therefore, strange that we have only recently started visiting the main Oslo Public Library. We saw it our first day here on our initial visit to the harbour. But we were seduced by all the other shiny new things (Oslo harbour 1 and Oslo Harbour 2). It’s a striking building, right there in Bjørvika, between the Oslo Opera House and the central train station. In any case, only a few weeks ago did we venture inside the library.
And boy, were we missing a lot! The building, designed by a local firm, Lund Hagem Architects and Atelier Oslo, was finished in 2020 (but didn’t open until later because of COVID-19). So, like many buildings in the harbour, it is pretty new. In 2021 it won the ‘Best Public Library’ award from the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. We can see why!
The building is really cool from the outside. Its exterior is thin vertical windows, and the top storey cantilevers out 65 feet above the plaza. The ground floor façade is completely transparent, which makes it especially inviting. Inside are six floors with lots of interesting design and various spaces; several of them also have mezzanines. Natural light flows through from all sides, and three skylights send light down over all the floors. There is an open central space with a number of colourful installations.
Though there are books galore (including an impressive collection in English and other languages), there are also lots of other things. There’s a terrific play-space for children and a cinema on the bottom floor. There’s also a café and a shop that sells cards and notebooks. And there’s even a shop devoted exclusively to travel, with guidebooks but also clothing and camping equipment!
There are many cosy nooks in which to read. (We’ve been catching up on our Norwegian novels in some of them.) There are also some inviting open spaces, including one we particularly like that spreads out over different levels between the fourth and fifth floor. From this area there are beautiful views of the harbour. These are a little distracting when you’re trying to work. But you can appreciate them from the L-shaped walkway along the perimeter.
We’ve since been to a couple of other branch libraries, all of which are pretty cool. All hail to Carl Deichman, whose initial donation in 1785 of 7000 books and 150 manuscripts began Oslo’s public library system! And as far as we can tell, the citizens of Oslo really love their libraries too, the main branch in particular. As you’d expect, there are school kids studying together, and parents of small children, but all sorts of people seem to find it an idyllic place to hang out. It’s relatively quiet in the morning, but as the day goes on, the library quickly fills up. As for us, we’re just trying to make up for our late discovery by spending as many days there as we can before we have to leave. It’s a place we’re certain we’ll miss.
