Travel by metro, and you’ll notice most passengers are glued to their phones. Whether they’re reading, doomscrolling or listening to Spotify, their phone is their travel buddy. Encouraging commuters to swap phones for a good ol’ read, a metro station in Poland’s capital, Warsaw, now has a ‘Metroteka’, aka a metro library. With 16,000 books, this metro station in Warsaw is now a bibliophile’s paradise.
Metro Station In Poland Opens A Modern Library With 16,000 Books
On September 4, Metroteka first saw the light of day at Kondratowicza metro station in Warsaw, Poland. The first public library in the Polish capital, housed in a metro station, Metroteka, is an initiative that puts books back in the travel spotlight. With mobile phones increasingly taking over as a reliable travel companion and books taking a backseat, Warsaw is doing things differently.
The metro station brings reading back in vogue, making the journey as delightful as the destination. The library, while compact, is just 150 square metres in size, and has an alluring collection of 16,000 books, stated a report by Euro News. There’s also a relaxing corner for adults and children. Moreover, to encourage reading as a habit and lifestyle, Metroteka will host cultural events for the local community. Rafał Trzaskowski, the Mayor of Warsaw took to his X handle to announce the splendid news.
Laptops On Demand, Coffee Machine, Hydroponic Plants & More
Apart from being a cosy reading nook, the Warsaw metro station library also provides laptops on demand. Working professionals can turn the library into a workspace if needed. To make every read a memorable one, there’s also a self-service coffee machine churning out fresh coffee, tea or cocoa. If visitors would like to borrow a book, the modern systems in place would allow that as well. Books can be borrowed and returned independently and hassle-free.
A gadget-free space requires enough materials and opportunities to stimulate and even relax the mind. Board games placed at Metroteka have adults and children bonding over good times alike. The library’s key innovations also include hydroponic plants grown without any soil. Fragrant flowers, herbs and vines meander through the reading space, facilitating an ecosystem that instantly puts one at ease.
Bibliophiles, is a metro ride at Kondratowicza metro station in Warsaw, a reason to check out the city’s coolest library? For us, it certainly is!
Cover Image Courtesy: X/Rafał Trzaskowski
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