A new branch in Černý Most, a new bookmobile, extended opening hours at selected branches, and a website redesign.
Černý Most, bookmobile, and website redesign
Černý Most branch, visualization (Loxia, 2025)
The opening of a new branch in Černý Most (Prague 14) is certainly the most significant event expected at the Municipal Library in Prague in 2026. It is a library in the Černý Most Multifunctional Building, which is being built by Prague 14 and a private investor. The building is strategically located near the Černý Most transport hub. This is an important intersection for public transport, regional lines, and long-distance buses. The building should be completed in March 2026, with the library scheduled to open in June. The Prague Municipal Library currently has two branches in Prague 14 (Rajská zahrada, Hloubětín in KC H55) and a self-service CČM kiosk (Westfield Černý Most shopping center).
A new bookmobile vehicle will be added to the mobile library's fleet. It is a superstructure on an IVECO chassis, which is being built for the library by the Slovak supplier Rošero-P s.r.o.. The company specializes in the production of custom-made minibuses and midibuses. The interior design of the new library on wheels is the work of the Schwestern studio, a sister creative duo specializing in interior design and architecture. The mobile library is expected to start operating in May 2026.
Home page of the new website
The first major event awaiting the library and its readers is the launch of the redesigned website. This will not involve a complete change in graphics and functions, but rather in internal systems. In particular, this means the content management system for the website. A major change is in store for the catalog search, where we are switching to the new Elastic system, which will offer, for example, better filter functionality and the extension of the search to include additional entities (e.g., publisher).
Transformation of selected branches
Interior of the Bohnice branch, visualization (Virtua, 2025)
Active negotiations are underway with Prague 8 on the possibility of renovating the Bohnice branch in KD Krakov according to a design by the Virtua architectural studio. A project to transform parts of the interior of the Opatov branch (Prague 11) by the Minimalistic studio is also ready for implementation, with the aim of strengthening residential services, including expanding study spaces and cultural events.
To the library for culture and knowledge
12th annual Do černého conference
Cultural and educational events are an important part of the library's activities and services. At the end of January, another annual Do černého conference will take place, bringing cross-cutting social topics to the library. This time, the subtitle is „Out of Comfort Zone – Libraries in Times of Change.“ In February, the Knihovny.digital – Na cestě k digitálním službám (Libraries.digital – On the Way to Digital Services) conference will take place, summarizing the past two years in which libraries have focused on digital literacy and education in the field of digital government services. There will also be traditional and popular events such as Book the Film, Night with Andersen, the children's reading festival Mami, tati dějou se věci (Velký mlýn), the multi-genre festival Knihovna na vlnách, which is anchored on the AVOID boat at Výtoň, and the library will participate in another edition of AI Days.
In cooperation with the organizers of FestivAL 100, a festival marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of Arnošt Lustig, the e-library is preparing to publish his work in electronic form. The Arnošt Lustig Foundation is a partner in this project. And as part of the residential stays for foreign authors organized by Prague City of Literature, we can look forward to a visit from the well-known Slovak author Pavol Rankov (It Happened on September 1 (or Some Other Time), 2008 Host).
Lenka Hanzlíková wants us to know what has been and look forward to what will be.
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The opening hours of selected branches will continue to be extended. Due to the library's staffing capabilities, some hours of operation are provided on a self-service basis. During unattended opening hours, the library is open and borrowing and study services are available, but without the assistance of librarians. Entry to the library during these hours is conditional on a valid library card issued to persons over the age of 15.
The first branch where this principle was tested was the Lužiny branch (Prague 13). This was followed in October by the Central Library (Prague 1), which is now open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and in November by Barrandov. The experience is being gradually evaluated and preparations are underway for other branches. At the beginning of 2026, the Reading House and Jezerka should extend their opening hours. The Sunday opening of the Central Library has been positively received and welcomed, especially by Prague students, who now have an additional 200 study places available at weekends.