Student Impressions of the New University Library
By Margarita Pujol | Culture | December 10, 2025
Cover Illustration: Hall of the UB Library, 15/09/2025. Margarita Pujol / The Amsterdammer
The new University Library opened its doors to Amsterdam students on September 1, 2025. Soft news reporter Margarita Pujol Porsell explores the students’ impressions of the first two months in the new library, pointing out the strengths and shortcomings of the new facility.
“Lees maar, er staat niet wat er staat” (“But do read, it doesn’t say what it says”). This verse from the 1934 poem Awater by Dutch author Martinus Nijhoff decorates the facade of the recently opened University Library in the University Quarter, Amsterdam. The verse invites us to read openly, using reading as a tool for free interpretation and a door to our opinions, learning processes and experiences.
This new construction, which opened this September in Vendelstraat 2-8 after a long period of remodelling that started in 2019, is an impressive architectural mix of a 19th-century modernization of a complex of medieval convents, and modern, contemporary styles. The library’s collection is substantial, ranging from history, linguistics and literature to social sciences, arts and culture, amongst other topics. Books can be borrowed and consulted through online and on-site systems. The study spaces, gathered around the building’s many floors, are small, but well-equipped and diverse, with both silent and co-working rooms and private booths. Alongside the studying apparatus, the library hosts many facilities, such as a café, a roof terrace, a theatre and even daily utilities, such as a shower, a first aid station and a mother’s room. How could we ask for more?
During one-on-one interviews conducted online and in the new library, many students praised the architectural style of the building, as well as its many utilities. A 24-year-old Cultural Analysis rMA student specifically commented on the brightness and sensations when first entering the hall, as well as their appreciation of the facilities offered: “The first time I walked into the new library, I was actually quite impressed by its architecture. Not only was the building visually stunning, but I felt like the central hall filled with natural light created a warm and welcoming vibe. I also really appreciated some of the initiatives that make the place unique, such as the offline room, the terrace and the different balconies where you can go to browse the books.” In this sense, the building’s design and planning were highly praised amongst the interviewed students, constituting one of the main strengths of this new installation.
However, these first impressions of the library’s architecture were soon contrasted with a major issue of space. As big as the building seems, many students have had trouble finding a spot to study. Especially during the first exam season of the semester, the majority of study spaces were occupied from early morning, and these continued to be crowded throughout the day. Although the new library took into account the students’ preferences for smaller study rooms, some students think that there is a lack of capacity and believe that more desks and chairs can be placed to maximize the usefulness of the space. A 23-year-old Psychology rMA student emphasizes this concern: “My friend and I got there at around 11/12 am, and it was already super full. We ran into another person in our program, and he said he had been walking around for 30 minutes. There are some couches that don’t have tables. We were stuck there for a while, and it was super uncomfortable, hence why we sat on the floor and used the couch as a table instead. I think it would help to put tables there instead, so people can actually sit and work there, but I fear it would be packed regardless.” Similarly, a 22-year-old Artificial Intelligence rMA student, although largely appreciative of the library’s functionality, also highlights this issue: “The library looks really nice and has everything that you would need while studying, enough toilets, places to get water and coffee and a cafeteria to get lunch, as well as places to print things. The only downside would be that during exam periods, the library gets over full and there are no places to work, even though there are quite some empty spaces where desks and chairs could be put.” In this context, it should be considered that this is a common problem of any library during particularly busy periods of the year. Nevertheless, this is still a reason for disappointment amongst the students, as well as a general discouragement to use the facility.
Another issue noted amongst the interviewed students was the accessibility of the in-shelf collection. Whereas the collection is quite large and unified in the storage of the same building, its access is limited because of the lower capacity of the bookshelves. A 24-year-old Literary Studies rMA student commented on this situation: “The library is wonderful for the most part. I love the architecture, how many study rooms there are and how helpful the librarians and library staff are. However, I wish more of the actual book collection was on display and available. It’s a great space, but it’s hard to find what I need because it’s just not there, unless I request it online.” This opinion is shared by a 24-year-old Cultural Analysis rMA student who notes: “Even though I now have access to far more books than before, many of them are still stored away and need to be requested, which means that direct access is still quite limited, and free browsing, like in the old times, is largely hindered.” Therefore, although the books that are not on display can still be requested online, some students somewhat miss the traditional efficiency of the library collection being largely on display.
Overall, although the students highlight the impressive architecture and the many facilities, the first exam period of the semester brought to light the classic problem of the lack of study spaces, even in a brand-new, large building. The university directs students to the ‘Officebooking’ app, which maps rooms and shows sensor-based availability for reservations and same-day seats. For now, the new library delivers on design and amenities, but exam-week crowding and limited on-shelf access will persist, unless the capacity catches up.
Margarita Pujol is a university student in Amsterdam. The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Amsterdammer.
