Open Library: Bringing Boppard’s Cultural Life Together
With its redesign and relocation to the former Elector’s Castle, Boppard Public Library presents itself as a library fit for the future: modern, fully accessible and open for significantly longer hours. Right in the heart of the town, a flexible, experience-led space has been created that brings together education, culture and community.
“The new library concept is truly forward-looking and will strengthen the library’s role as a place where people come together,” says head librarian Sonja Weinert.
Open Library: More Freedom Thanks to RFID Technology
Library members can now access the building outside staffed opening hours as well. With Open Library, it is additionally open over the lunchtime period and on Friday afternoons. Even Saturdays and Sundays are covered, with doors open from 11 am to 6 pm giving Boppard’s 16,000 residents plenty of time to enjoy everything on offer. Families come to play, read, borrow and return media, or simply meet others for a relaxed chat over a coffee.
Weekly opening hours have increased from 23 to 49: an impressive boost of 53 per cent.
Nex.Kiosk Dynamic: Borrowing Media and Paying Fees Made Easy
The interior design follows a clear and convincing concept that cleverly integrates library technology while creating a welcoming atmosphere. The bespoke, understated furniture is functional, timeless and thoughtfully designed. It seamlessly incorporates self-service technology, allowing users to borrow and return items independently. Fees can also be paid discreetly at the same station.
“In our experience, people like doing things themselves and we want to support that,” explains Sonja Weinert. “All 15,000 items have been fitted with RFID tags. This makes borrowing quick, intuitive and hassle-free. And because the team no longer needs to process loans manually, we’ve gained valuable time for programming and events.”
Interior Design with a Vision: Flexible and Future-Ready
Interior designer Peter Kneip has created spaces that attract visitors through their high level of comfort and timeless aesthetic. The two historic halls and adjoining room have been carefully structured, clearly defining the entrance area, lounge, reading and working zones for optimal use.
“The entrance area isn’t very large and has to serve several purposes: cloakroom, display of new books, information screens, space for talks and, of course, the self-service technology,” Kneip explains. “By integrating the RFID modules into the custom furniture, the area feels calm and uncluttered despite its many functions.”
The enclosed RFID gates blend discreetly into elegant wooden panelling, which also doubles as a wind lobby, cloakroom and magazine or brochure holders. All furniture can be fully dismantled in a very short time – an important feature given the library’s proximity to the Rhine and the potential risk of flooding.
All shelving units are on castors, making them easy to move. This allows the main reading hall to be quickly transformed into an attractive event space whenever needed, enabling the library team to offer more activities with nearby nurseries and other groups in the future.
“Our aim was to integrate the technical requirements of a modern RFID-equipped library into a historic castle in a way that feels seamless,” Kneip adds. “The interior needed to be space-saving, flexible and functional while still making people feel comfortable and welcome. That was quite a challenge.”
The result speaks for itself: within just a few days, the library recorded 150 new registrations. The people of Boppard have truly taken their new library to heart.
A Third Place for All Generations
With dedicated areas for children and young people, the option to spend time without any obligation to consume, a wide range of media and a prime city-centre location, the library has become a genuine “third place”: open, inviting and culturally significant. And last but not least, it is future-proof thanks to state-of-the-art RFID technology.
What has emerged is a modern library that impresses not only through its functionality but also by revitalising the town centre. Cultural State Secretary Prof Dr Jürgen Hardeck is equally enthusiastic: “The new city library is a real asset for Boppard and will become an important cultural attraction for the town.”
Find out more about Boppard Public Library.
Photos + Video © Boppard Public Library, Sonja Weinert, Peter Kneip, Sarto Media.