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The new Rijksmuseum library: how a 21st-century research library became an exhibition room

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 June 2016

Melanie Vogel
Melanie Vogel*
Affiliation:
Technische Universität Berlin
*
[email protected]
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Abstract

The greatest art library in the Netherlands returned to its original rooms inside the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam. How can this library with its own rich history serve the demands of a 21st-century user? What might be the appropriate measures to counter the struggles of the first weeks after the grand re-opening? After more than a decade of reconstruction and renovation the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam was reopened on 13 April 2013. The inside of the museum has been completely transformed and the building itself has been restored to its original splendour. The largest art research library in the Netherlands has become accessible to the general public, seven days a week from 10 am to 5 pm. More then 10,000 visitors a day are eager to explore the museum as well as its unique 19th-century reading room designed by P.J.H Cuypers. But how can the original concept be adapted to present day demands?

Type
Research Article
Information
Art Libraries Journal , Volume 39 , Issue 1 , 2014 , pp. 24 - 28
Copyright
Copyright © The Art Libraries Society 2014

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References

1. Bruinzeel, Rob and van Tiggelen, Nicole, Bibliothek 2040. Die Zukunft neu entwerfen (Bad Honnef: Bock und Herchen, 2003).Google Scholar
2. Leiß, Caroline and Leiß, Johann, Bibliotheken im Internetzeitalter. Von P(rint) nach E(lectronic). In: Die Weisheit baut sich ein Haus. Architektur und Geschichte von Bibliotheken (München, London, New York: Prestel, 2011), 215–236.Google Scholar
3. When the new museum opened in 1885 the number of visitors from 14.7.1885-31.12.1885 was 632.466. One year later it regularised to 336.612 visitors. See: Verslagen omtrent s Rijks verzameling van geschiedenis en kunst (‘s Gravehage: Staatsdrukkerij- en uitgeverijbedrijf, 1888): p.20 and 1887, p. 51.Google Scholar
4. Vogel, Melanie, ‘P.J.H. Cuypers’ Art library in the Rijkmuseum Amsterdam: a room dedicated to arts and science,’ Art Libraries Journal, 37, No. 1 (2012): 46–49.Google Scholar
5. Vogel, Melanie, ‘Die Iknografie des Bibliotheksmagazins von P.J.H Cuypers im Rijksmuseum,’ AKMB news, Informationen zur Kunst, Museen und Bibliothek, 18, No. 2 (2012): 43–52.Google Scholar
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7. Verslagen omtrent ’s Rijks verzameling van geschiedenis en kunst (‘s Gravehage: Staatsdrukkerijen uitgeverijbedrijf, 1888): 1.Google Scholar
8. Can be translated as: ‘... here the science of art has a dedicated room’.Google Scholar
9. On the subject of libraries for me future see: Latimer, K. and Niegaard, H. (eds.), IFLA Library Building Guidelines: Developments & Reflections (Munich: Saur, 2007).Google Scholar
10. https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/research-and-library/rijksmuseum-research-Ubrary. Accessed on June 3rd 2013.Google Scholar
11. Koot, Geert-Jan, Programme of Requirements for the Library 2.1 (internal document, Amsterdam 2011).Google Scholar
12. Which can be translated as, ‘You have two eyes, but one mouth,/This should be a sign for you/To read here a lot, instead of speaking.’Google Scholar
13. The shelving in the reading room gives space for about 1km books. Additional 4,5 km of the book collection are stored twelve meters under ground in a depot placed in 2 stories under the building. See also: Kramer, Marieke and de Nijs, Roland, ‘Bibliotheek Rijksmuseum nu self ontsloten’. Informatie Professional 3 (2013): 16–20.Google Scholar
14. A copy would cost 0,10€. Scans are free of charge to reduce the use of paper and to promote digital scans.Google Scholar
15. Geert-Jan Koot, director of the library on the concept of the reading room in: Kramer, Marieke and de Nijs, Roland, ‘Bibliotheek Rijksmuseum nu self ontsloten’ Informatie Professional 3 (2013): 19.Google Scholar