Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam (OBA) is the largest public library in the Netherlands. The new building, situated on an artificial island (Oosterdokseiland), was opened in 2007 on the former premises of the mail sorting centre of the former state postal company PTT.
Besides the usual bookcases, reading tables and study areas, but also theatres, museums, art projects, conference rooms, a restaurant and hundreds of publicly accessible computers.
On the top floor is a lunch restaurant with rooftop terrace overlooking the old city centre.
The facade consists of a framework clad in light natural stone, part of which is a large canopy.
Designing the OBA was a quest for light and orientation, according to the architect Jo Coenen. On the outside it looks like a closed box. Inside, however, a large Innenwelt unfolds.
place Oosterdokskade 143, Amsterdam IJ Waterfront
directions_subway 51, 53 Centraal Station
tram 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 13, 16, 17, 26 Centraal Station
directions_bus 18, 21, 22, 32, 33, 34, 35, 48 Centraal Station
train Station Amsterdam Centraal
local_parking Parking Centrum Oosterdok