• 2014-11-01

NCL Director-general Tseng Shu-hsien led a delegation to visit the Municipal Library of Prague (MLP) on November 1, 2014. The group was greeted at the library entrance by a five-meter-high tower of books built from over 8,000 books. The tower has a teardrop-shaped entrance through which many curious visitors slip in to explore. Mirrors are placed on both the ceiling and floor of the interior, creating a series of reflections and the illusion of an endless tunnel. The effect impresses one of the vastness of knowledge and the smallness of the individual. The installation entitled IDIOM is the creation of Slovak artist Matej Kren. It was displayed at the 1995 São Paulo Art Biennial in Brazil and earned the top jury award. In 1998, it was relocated to the entrance hall of the MLP and has since been one of the library's most treasured pieces.

Prague's first public library was established in 1891. After several relocations, it finally settled at its present site in 1903. In addition to the main library, the MLP has 42 branches and three mobile libraries providing book lending and internet service in remote areas without library access. 

The MLP collection exceeds five million volumes, including books, magazine, drama script, movies, music CDs, and maps, all of which can be borrowed. The library also has a musical department, theatre department, information centre, Pragensia, art library, rare prints department and digital department. Last year (2013), the music department held a celebration for the MPL's 120th anniversary. In a city steeped in the spirit of music, the library provides a space where visitors can listen to music or play piano. The library also caters to sports lovers with virtual golf and tennis facilities. In addition to its extensive music, drama and other audio-visual and publication resources, the library has a collection of about 18,000 extremely rare 15th to 21st century historical documents that are undergoing digitization. The library annually holds a number of cultural activities. In 2013, it arranged 3,483 events, including speeches, movie screenings, concerts by master musicians, and drama performances.