Futuristic attraction in the Warsaw metro. How will Metroteka work?

An unusual attraction for readers will soon open in Warsaw – a library at the Kondratowicza metro station, on the second line of the underground railway. The Warsaw City Council announces that everyone will be able to stop there to read a good book, but also to take a moment to rest.

“The open zone will include: a book exhibition zone, a gallery and author meetings zone, and a zone for children and young people,” we read. The visualizations make the space look very futuristic and definitely not like a traditional library with shelves arranged in neat rows.

Metroteka at Kondratowicza station. What awaits readers?

Metroteka users will find a self-checkout stand here, i.e. to check out or return books themselves, as well as a ground-based, 24-hour book machine (at the Targówek District Office). Traditional library service will still be available.

The library collections are to be moved here from the library at ul. Kondratowicza 23. As of June 3, public lending library no. 98 is closed due to the move. “We will soon invite you to a hyper-modern facility accessible to people with mobility disabilities,” we read on its website.

Białołęka district councillor Danuta Zaleska announced that “modern multimedia have been planned especially for Metroteka, which will enable access to various digital resources and will allow for conducting multimedia and interactive educational and cultural activities.”

Underground Libraries in the World

The city hall previously reported that similar public subway libraries had been launched in various places around the world, including Beijing, New York, Istanbul, Mexico City, London and Prague.

There was a lot of admiration in the comments. “A really cool idea for developing a rather gloomy space under the metro. I’m happy, I’ll use it,” wrote Ms. Magda. There were also a few voices expressing doubts – mainly concerning the work of librarians without access to daylight.

Grzegorz Kłoda’s GK-Atelier studio is responsible for the Metroteka design.

How do you like this space? Would you like to visit such a library?