The library is firmly rooted in The Hague’s neighborhoods and will grow along with the city in the coming years. These and other ambitions are outlined in the multi-year policy plan adopted by the city council recently.
In the coming years, the library will be the place for even more residents of The Hague to enjoy reading and develop their language skills, and there will be opportunities for polyphony and digital skills. This makes the library a place for everyone.
Klaas Verschuure, alderman for libraries: “The library is alive and well, and that’s evident in everything. Never before have so many children in The Hague been members of the library. Last year, there were more than 2 million visitors. And next week, we’ll be celebrating its 120th anniversary. That’s a tremendous compliment to the city and to everyone who works for this important place. With the multi-year policy plan, The Hague Library is ready for the future.”
Sam Hermans, Director of The Hague Library, adds: “The multi-year policy plan makes me proud. Not only because this plan has now been formally adopted, but especially because it demonstrates what we’ve been working on together for years: a library in the heart of the city, close to people. Open, warm, and inviting. A place where everyone can develop, connect, and discover new opportunities. Today and in the future.”
In the library’s multi-year policy plan, the municipality offers a glimpse into the library’s key ambitions up to and including 2029. This will help the library contribute to a literate, inclusive, and resilient society. The plan focuses on five key areas:
- A place for all voices . About democratic values and the representation of all residents of The Hague.
- Where we encourage the joy of reading. By making language and reading fun and accessible.
- Where you can develop throughout your life. Through The Hague’s learning ecosystem and a wide range of social and cultural programs.
- Where everyone can participate in an increasingly digital society. This includes Digital Government Information Points and training programs.
- Where we celebrate all languages. With, for example, a multilingual collection, language cafés, and multilingual reading sessions.
The five key priorities help us focus on achieving all the ambitions surrounding the library and the city as a whole. The city council also expressed enthusiasm for the role the library plays in The Hague’s neighborhoods.
The plans are now being developed into concrete proposals, with the library carefully examining each proposal to determine whether it can be implemented in a feasible and financially sound manner.
Photo: Sam Hermans and Klaas Verschuure at the opening of the Laakkwartier library. Photo credit: Martijn Beekman