A lot of perseverance was necessary, but it was worth it: Since the youth library moved into Blutenburg Castle, its circulation point, the children’s library in the former stables, had not been renovated – which was urgently needed after forty years. After being closed for six months, it now shines in new splendor after being completely renovated. The Federal Ministry for Family Affairs has provided 150,000 euros for the complete renovation and redesign; a total of around 200,000 euros have been invested to create a child-friendly and contemporary place that provides access to 20,000 media in 24 languages on an area of 200 square meters. Since children’s libraries are more than just “pick-up stations” these days, the multilingual course and creative program will also start again when the children’s library opens its doors on March 22nd.
The interior design concept developed by students at the Technical University of Munich opens up the historical space in which visitors young and old can look forward to walk-in shelving and reading hiding places for browsing; Stairs lead up to the books placed high under the ceiling, with plenty of space in between for readings, book clubs and craft activities.
The reopening will be celebrated on Friday afternoon, March 22nd, with a big reading and family festival: Paul Maar and his grandson Hannes Maar have announced their presence. They will present their first joint book project entitled “The Enchantress’s Daughter”, an intra-family co-production for which the grandfather provided the text and the grandson the illustrations. But fans of Paul Maar’s most famous character, Sams, will not be disappointed either. The cheeky creature with a trunk and wish points visits the family festival as a “walk act”, accompanied by no less famous children’s book characters such as Pumuckl, Pippi Longstocking and Momo.
In addition, Sabine Bohlmann, who was named “Reading Artist of the Year” at the Leipzig Book Fair last year, promises an exciting book show in which she will introduce the members of a monster family. These include unusual characters such as a four-legged mop, a werewolf and a talking suitcase, all taken from her new children’s book “Welcome to the Grauses”. Another good thing: entry to the Maarsche magic world and Bohlmann’s spooky hustle and bustle is free.
Reopening of the IJB children’s library, reading and family festival, Friday, March 22nd, 3 p.m., Blutenburg Castle, free entry