More time for studying and reading: The Central Library will now also be open on weekends.
The Central Library is responding to the needs of readers who are looking for more flexible access to library services, as well as students who struggle to find quiet places to study in Prague on weekends. Starting Saturday, September 6, 2025, the Central Library will also be open on weekends. This is a trial run, and we will adjust the services and information offered to library visitors based on feedback. We thank you in advance for your suggestions for improvement.
What exactly does this mean? The Central Library will be open 11 hours longer: it will have extended opening hours on Saturdays and will also be open on Sundays. During this time, the library will operate in „unattended mode.“ You can open the door after scanning a valid adult reader's card (for persons over 15 years of age), or you can use the library app, which has a „door opening“ function. Payment will be possible at a self-service cashless checkout located directly in the library.
New opening hours of the Central Library
| Day of the week | Opening hours | Unattended opening hours |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | |
| Tuesday | 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. | |
| Wednesday | 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. | |
| Thursday | 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. | |
| Friday | 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. | |
| Saturday | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. |
| Sunday | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
„I am glad that by extending the opening hours of the Central Library on weekends, we are accommodating students in particular, who have long been pointing out the lack of weekend study spaces. However, anyone who is looking for a quiet place to read a book, borrow something, or pick up a reservation is welcome to come,“ explains Jan Konrád, head of the Central Library.
The unstaffed opening hours will allow for borrowing and returning books, picking up completed reservations, but above all, they will offer space for studying or reading. The library has up to 220 study places available. You can connect to the internet using public Wi-Fi („Mestska knihovna“). Any questions will be answered by the Customer Service Center at +420 222 113 555. However, most of the opening hours are staffed. Librarians are available to assist readers and visitors from Monday to Friday and on Saturday afternoons. „It is therefore up to each individual to decide when to visit the library,“ Konrád points out.
A similar service is already offered by three self-service kiosks at the Municipal Library in Prague and also at the Lužiny branch, which has extended its opening hours and thus the availability of library services by 8 hours per week. There are plans to extend the opening hours in unattended mode to other branches as well.
Tips for an unattended library
Reservations fulfilled, late fees charged?
- Make a deposit and keep your reader account free of any outstanding library service charges. More about cashless payment and the cash deposit service.
- Use the self-service checkout.
Is your barcode library card not scanning properly?
- Scan your barcode library card as follows: hold the barcode about 10 centimeters away from the reader. If it does not scan, try changing the angle or moving your hand slightly.
- If your library card is more than 3 years old, you can have it replaced free of charge with a new one that has a chip and is much easier to scan. Just hold it up to the reader.
- If you use a Lítačka card as your library card, it also has a chip. There is no need to scan the barcode, just hold the card up to the reader.
- Use the library app (available for Android on Google Play), which has a special door-opening feature. Also, a virtual library card on your phone with the brightness set correctly makes it much easier to scan the barcode than on a plastic card.
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Bistro Quido will also be open during the weekend, where you can enjoy a coffee or a snack while you study. Please note! During the opening hours of the Central Library without staff, it will not be possible to order books from the warehouse, use desktop computers with internet access, or visit the Central Library Workshop, Theater Department, and Pragensia.