Memory

A memory of 2008 at an outing I had with colleagues of the Public Library at a cocktailbar in Amsterdam. I am having fun with Wil, who sadly passed away a few weeks ago. 
 

Reunion

I was invited this week for a farewell party of a former colleague in the Public Library.  She said goodbye after 36 years of work and I have known her for that long.

Many current and former colleagues had come and it was a nice Reunion for everyone.

Memories

I was asked by my  former colleagues of the Public Library to search in my archives for old photos.

A former collegue says goodbye and they want to give her a photoalbum with some memories. I have a whole cabinet filled with more than 60 photoalbums! So I spent the whole afternoon watching old photos of holidays,  family and all kind of other things. Some people think librarians are a bit dusty people with their nose in books, but nothing is less true. This one is at a weddingparty of a colleague who worked in the music department. We sang a song for the bride with LP covers on our heads. It was the time of the LP, long playing record albums. I am the one in blue.

We also had nice outings with all the staff from cleaning ladies to director to an open air museum. You can see a Library was a woman's business at that time, we were very emancipated with a female manager director as well. I am the one in black and white at the left.

Photoshoot

In 2009 I had retired from my work at the public library. In 2011 I was asked with two other retired colleagues for a photoshoot for a publication to promote the library.

It was fun to see each other again.

Hubby had come too and could participate.

It is long ago but I was browsing in my old photos and found these ones I had almost forgotten.

Public Library

The youth section in the Public Library of Amsterdam.

 The adults study section.

And the lounge section for the young adults.

Reading

In the entrance of the Public Library in Amsterdam you are welcomed by this cute reader.

Linking to "Monday Mural"

Public Library

At the children's ward of the renovated Public Library in Almere Haven last Saturday.

I love this carpet on the floor,

Who would not want to read here with your children.

Nostalgic

The Public Library in Almere Haven is going to move to another building and therefore they had a sale of excrescent books. SC caught me browsing together with a former colleague at the right who once was the head of this library. Both retired now we were a bit nostalgic this library will be closed and reopened in a much smaller place with less books. That's the way it goes....

National Library

The old National Library in Copenhagen is situated in a beautiful park.

With a statue of philosopher Soren Kierkegaard ( 1813-1851)

Behind the old building, glued to it,  a new Library has raised called the "Black Diamond". It contains also a concerthall, bookstore, restaurant and exhibition space.

Inside it is huge.

It is situated on the waterfront with a great view.

The funny part is the old and the new library are connected inside and we had a look at the beautiful old place for the students.

This room was a no go area for visitors but I had look through the window.

The old catalogue cards.

Outside you could have a seat with a view at the river. You can see how cold it was, nobody opted for a seat.

The problems I had yesterday with uploading were caused by an overload of photos on my computer. SC solved the problems for me the whole afternoon, lucky me.

Calling hunk

This crowned hunk with wooden shoes was calling me when I passed.

I entered the former public library, now transformed into a fancy boutique hotel in Amsterdam,  and found him again in the garden.

And there were even two of them!

The designer Marcel Wanders is responsible for the interior and the decorations of this hotel.

It is hard to believe that once here were bookcases with thousands of books!

The week of books

Once a year we have a week to promote literature called "Boekenweek". There are all kinds of activities and and lectures in bookstores and libraries with writers. Last weekend the library of Almere had invited two wellknown authors, "Bart Chabot", see his sculpture here above.

And here in reality.

And "Joost Zwagerman". 

Sorry for the blurry quality of the photos, it was rather dark inside.

When you buy a dutch book in this week you get a present in the form of a little book specialy written for the theme of the year. In the library is an exhibition of these books, collected through the years, by the husband of fellowblogger 

Maria of "Leven in Almere, maar ook daar buiten.....".

At her blog you see a picture of this years present. We both had a nice afternoon with lectures and music.

Christmas party

Although I left my working career for three years behind me, I am invited every year to celebrate Christmas with my former colleagues of the Public Library. Four of them are pensioners, the ladies in black at the left handside,  and four of them are still working there. We got a nice diner and this year Santa was there too.

 

Sofietje was delighted I took a big box home from the party.

The box tumbled aside by her wild moves.

But this is nice, a room with a view!

 

Frites

Last Sunday I had a meeting with my former colleagues of the public library in Amsterdam. We went for a drink with apple pie or a portion of "patates frites" (french fries).I went for the apple pie with whipped cream.

New career?

A few months ago my former employer, the Public Library asked me if I would like to have some photos made they could use for publicity flyers. Me and my husband of sccollections posed for a professional photographer and here are the results. Can you find us?

Self portrait (Weekend Reflections )

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A reflection of myself in the window of the Public Library in Almere with the Town Hall behind me.
See for other pictures of "Weekend Reflections" here