Municipal Library of Prague

Prag, Tschechien

The first public library in Prague opened on 1st July 1891 and followed on from the activity of federal libraries in the 2nd half of the 19th century. The “Public General Library of the Royal Capital Prague” was established by the decree of the city council as a library intended for all citizens of Prague. At the beginning it had 3370 books used in the lending library and reading room. The first site of the library was on the street Na Zderaze in the New Town, it moved several times, and only in 1903 did it find a permanent site on the corner of Platnéřská Street and Mariánské Square in the Old Town, i.e., where its current building is.

From 1898 to 1920 its director was the librarian and famous poet Antonín Sova, who used his knowledge of German and American librarianship, started to build a system of catalogues, founded the first six branches and attempted to ensure that the library gained a 'dignified building in the centre of the city”.

Today, the library also hosts language courses, exhibitions and concerts.

Adresse

Municipal Library of Prague, Mariánské náměstí 98/1, 11000 Prag, Tschechien, Google Maps