The University of Zielona Góra’s new library is the biggest facility of its kind in the Polish region of Lubuskie. In addition to books and online resources, the building plays host to various cultural events and exhibitions.
Construction of the a library at the University of Zielona Góra
- 11 December 2015
The library functions as both learning and resources centre – it is a rich interactive academic environment offering a democratic access to information and creating space for an independent and critical debate.
A centre of learning
The objective of this ERDF-funded project was to create an open space with free access to books. Currently, the library contains over 1 million books, journals and other items, with over 300 000 items available online. Users have at their disposal some 120 computers. The facility, which combines real space with virtual space, is now an important knowledge centre for this Polish region.
The building’s design is simple and minimalistic. It is dominated by white and grey colours that combine with wooden elements, and the library is fully accessible for the disabled. With its huge space – over 8 000 square metres – it is also capable of hosting various events such as debates, exhibitions and concerts.
Bridging online and offline worlds
The building is equipped with multimedia rooms with access to the Internet. About 400 000 users visit the library each year, with one million readers accessing online resources. The items in the library are protected by RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology, which offers the latest in theft detection. The new library will also help the university to develop and promote academic culture, teaching and research. It is a learning and resource centre, a rich interactive academic environment that effectively integrates library services based on the newest technologies. It offers democratic access to information and at the same time creates a space for independent and critical debate.
An open knowledge space
As a valuable piece of public space, the library represents an important component of the city’s urban architecture. The library will also be open to the needs of inhabitants in the region.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Construction of the Library of the University of Zielona Góra” is EUR 6 350 407, of which the EU’s European Regional Development Fund is contributing EUR 5 210 from the Operational Programme “Lubuskie” for the 2007 to 2013 programming period.