The OBA Oosterdok – Amsterdam’s Central Library – is located in the eastern docklands area (Oosterdok) not far from Central Station. OBA stands for Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam, a network of 28 public libraries around the city.
At 28,000m² spread over 10 levels, Amsterdam Central Library is the 2nd largest public library in Europe* and attracts a large number of visitors per year. It is a super place to spend a couple of hours, especially if it’s cold or raining in Amsterdam – which happens quite regularly!
The building was designed by noted Dutch architect Jo Coenen and was opened on 7th July 2007, moving from its former location on Amsterdam’s Prinsengracht canal.
There are about 1,000 seats spread all over the Central Library building, from workplaces with computers to comfy seating on the upper floors.
On the mezzanine level of the ground floor you will find the OBA Café plus the periodicals section. Although mainly Dutch there is a reasonable selection of international newspapers and magazines.
The bottom floor (level -1) houses the impressive children’s library with rounded book cases, funky seating and play areas. There are a few English children’s books available. Don’t miss the Mouse Mansion (Het Muizenhuis) doll house, an amazingly intricate 3m tall sculpture which inspired a book series.
Here is a floor-by-floor summary of Amsterdam Central Library:
| Level | |
| -1 | Children’s Library / Lockers |
| 0 | Entrance / Service Desk / Borrow & Return |
| M | OBA Café / Newspapers & Magazines / OBA Expo / Gallery |
| 1 | Amsterdam’s public broadcaster (Publiek Omroep Amsterdam) |
| 2 | Literature / Poetry / Comics / English Literature / Junior Collection (12-19) |
| 3 | Travel / History / Amsterdam / French Literature |
| 4 | Art / Media / DVDs and CDs / Movie Zone |
| 5 | Study Point / Nature / Science |
| 6 | Society / Politics / OBA Theatre, Congress & Forum |
| 7 | Babel Café-restaurant / Panorama Viewpoint |
| 8 | Offices (closed to public) |
There are often free exhibitions and concerts at the library so ask a member of staff what’s going on that day.
The top floor on Level 7 has a café-restaurant Babel and a panoramic terrace with excellent south-facing views of the city. Note, the terrace may be inaccessible during bad weather.
You can also get good views from the windows on Levels 5 and 6.
Toilets can be found at the lowest -1 level, the 6th and 7th floors. Baby changing facilities are at the -1 level toilets.
WiFi is available for free on your own device although you have to register via a ‘Publicroam’ account. OBA Oosterdok charges non-members for internet access at a PC terminal.
How can you join Amsterdam Library? Firstly you need to be a Dutch resident or at least have an address somewhere in the Netherlands. Libraries in the Netherlands generally work on a subscription model and Amsterdam OBA has various membership options:
OBA PC membership costs €19.50 per year and allows up to 3 hours per day for computer use and internet at the Central Library (1 hour at other OBA locations). No borrowings are included with this option.
OBA Basis Membership costs €39.50 per year and allows 20 borrowings annually and 6 e-books plus PC access as above. Students 19-26 and 67+ pay €29.95 per year.
OBA Digital Membership costs €44.50 per year and allows unlimited e-book/audio book borrowings annually plus PC access as above.
OBA Altijd & Overal Membership costs €59.50 per year and allows unlimited borrowings plus PC access as above. Students 19-26 and 67+ pay €44.95 per year.
OBA Junior Membership is free for those aged 0-18 and allows unlimited annual borrowings.
It is possible to join at any of the OBA libraries in Amsterdam. You should bring a form of identification and proof of address. You can also join online (Dutch only, payment by iDeal) but you would still need to visit a library to activate your membership card.
There are 2 underground bike parking facilities near the library. The main Fietsenstalling OBA is free and has capacity for 2,500 bikes; there is a smaller bike parking next to the Albert Heijn supermarket.
If coming by car there is the large Parking Centrum Oosterdok garage at Oosterdoksstraat 150 (1011 DK Amsterdam) which has nearly 1,400 spots with pre-booked parking from €10-€25 per day.
In summary if you need a place to read, study, research, relax or just escape the elements, the Amsterdam Central Library is a welcome place to hang-out.
OBA Amsterdam Central Library Essential Info
| Opening Times | 0800-2200 (Mon-Fri), 1000-2000 (Sat-Sun). |
| Getting There | The Central library is 5-10 mins walk east of Amsterdam Central station, along the Oosterdokskade walkway. |
OBA Oosterdok – Amsterdam Central Library, Oosterdokskade 143, 1011 DL Amsterdam
T: +31(0)20 523 0900
* Library of Birmingham vs Amsterdam Central Library: The largest public library in Europe is the UK’s Library of Birmingham (opened 2013) which at 10 levels and 31,000m² is a little larger than Amsterdam (28,000m²). Ironically it was designed by Mecanoo, a Dutch architecture firm based in Delft. Its construction cost was £189 million, more than double that of Amsterdam’s €80 million. It should be noted that the Library of Birmingham is only open 40 hours per week whereas Amsterdam Central Library is open 90 hours per week!
Last updated 23 January 2024. This article was first published in 2008 and has been regularly updated.
