Amsterdam
Libraries:
If
you want to enjoy your time in Amsterdam with a book and forgot to bring one form
home, at the public libraries you will be able browse through books, papers and
magazines without membership or charge. Meanwhile, at the rest of the "bibliotheek",
as they are called in Dutch, a proof of residence in the city and an ID will be
required to borrow books.
Library
of the University of Amsterdam (Universiteit van Amsterdam)
More
than 4 million volumes can be found at this library that has a central location
and other forty around the city. Study rooms, reading rooms and reference ones
are available for students or people with proof of residence in Amsterdam and
an ID.
Address of the University: Plantage Muidergracht 12. The Main Library
is located on Singel 425.
Phone: +31 (0)20 5252301
Opening Hours for the
reading room: from Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 24; on Saturday, from 9.30am
to 5pm; and on Sunday, from 11am to 5pm. Bear in mind that it is closed during
Christian holidays and on Sundays during the summer holiday season.
Openbare
Bibliotheek Amsterdam
The most visited cultural establishment in
Amsterdam promotes the free flow of information among the members of the community:
English-language books, newspapers and a small coffee bar are some of the services
available, as well as electronic information. There is a central location and
27 other branches spread along throughout the city.
Address Central Library:
Prinsengracht 587
Phone: +31 (0)20 5230900
Tram: 1, 2, 5. Opening Hours:
from 1 to 9pm on Monday; from 10am to 9pm between Tuesday and Thursday; from 10am
to 7pm Friday; from 10am to 5pm on Saturday. Between October and April, it is
also open from 1 to 5pm.
Rijksmuseum
Library
This really prestigious museum also boasts a library ideal
for research. Check the catalogue online for any of the 140,000 monopraphs, 3,100
periodicals or 20,000 auction catalogues available.
Address: Frans van Mierisstraat
92
Phone: +31 (0)20 6747267
Opening Hours: from Tuesday to Saturday between
10am and 5pm (bear in mind that the attending service is limited for lunch time,
between 1 and 2pm).
General
Bookshops
American
Book Center
This store that
has another location in The Hague has been the ideal place to find English - language
books and magazines since 1972: material both from the United Kingdom and the
United States of America is displayed along four floors. And cultural events are
held on a regular basis at the "Treehouse" in Amsterdam and the "Treehut"
in The Hague.
Address: Spui 12.
Phone: +31 (0)20 625 5537
Tram: 1, 2,
4, 5, 9, 14, 16, 20, 24, 25. Opening Hours: Monday to Wednesday from 10am to 8pm;
Thursday from 10am to 9pm; Friday and Saturday from 10am to 8pm; and Sunday from
11am to 6.30pm.
Credit Card: AmEx, DC, MC, V.
Athenaeum
Boekhandel
This is the most
prestigious bookshop in Amsterdam, where the relevant cultural events are organised.
It is also a favourite stop among tourists from everywhere, because at the media
centre you will find newspapers from all over the world, along with magazines
and periodicals and books in different languages.
Address (bookshop and media
centre): Spui 14-16
Phone: +31 (0)20 514 1460 (bookshop) or 514 1470 (media
centre)
Tram: 1, 2, 5.
Opening Hours: Monday from 11am to 6pm; Tuesday,
Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9.30am to 6pm; Thursday from 9.30am to 9pm;
and Sunday from noon to 5.30pm.
Credit Card: AmEx, MC, V.
De
Kinderboekwinkel
One of the
bookshops specially designed and equipped for children is De Kinderboekwindel,
with two stores in Amsterdam. Among colourful settings and a large selection of
books, you will find texts in English and other languages.
Address: Rozengracht
34
Phone: +31 (0)20 622 4761
Tram: 13, 14, 17, 20. Opening Hours: 1-6pm
Mon; 10am-6pm. Tue-Fri; 10am-5pm Sat; closed Sun.
No credit cards.
Branch:
Address: Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 344
Phone: +31 (0)20 622 7741
Opening
hours: Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 6pm; and Saturday, from 10am to 5pm.
Boekhandel
De Slegte
With stores all over
Holland and Belgium, De Slegte sells all sort of volumes in different languages
at reasonable costs. You will also find children's books, textbooks and antique
volumes.
Address in Amsterdam: Kalverstraat 48-52
Phone: +31 (0)20 622
5933
Tram: 4, 9, 14, 16, 20, 24, 25.
Opening Hours: from 11am to 6pm on
Monday; from 9.30am to 6pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; from 9.30am
to 9pm on Thursday; and from noon to 5pm on Sunday.
Credit Card: AmEx, DC,
MC, V
The
English Bookshop
With the objective
of providing its clients with good literature way beyond best-sellers, this cosy
store in a corner displays English books, from fiction to non-fiction. There is
a special section for children's books and every now and then poetry sessions
are organised. In order to get a taste of local literature, the bookshop also
has an interesting collection of works translated to English, and a staff pleased
to recommend them to you.
Address: Lauriergracht 71
Phone: +31 (0)20 626
4230
Trams: 7, 10, 17, 20. Opening Hours: from Tuesday to Saturday between
11am and 6pm.
Credit Card: AmEx, DC, V.
Martyrium
Literature,
art, history and philosophy are just some of the subjects at this store which
sells a high percentage of material in English. Paperbacks and remainders are
also available, therefore you will always find bargains and tempting discounts.
Address: Van Baerlestraat 170-172
Phone: +31 (0)20 673 2092
Tram: 3,
5, 12, 20, 24. Opening Hours: from 9am to 6pm between Monday and Friday; from
9am to 5pm on Saturday; from noon to 5pm on Sunday.
No credit cards.
Scheltema
This
is probably the best and largest bookstore in Amsterdam, with locations in various
other cities in the country. At its central shop in the city, books are scattered
along six floors, with areas for specialised readings such as medicine, law, economics
and science. After you have browsed throughout such an interesting variety, take
a break at the coffee shop on the first floor.
Address: Koningsplein 20
Phone:
+31 (0)20 523 1411
Tram: 1, 2, 5. Opening Hours: from 10am to 6pm between Monday
and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; on Thursday, from 10am to 9pm; and on Sunday,
from noon to 6pm.
Credit Card: AmEx, MC, V.
Waterstone's
This
is a huge chain of bookstores born in London that tries to have a unique profile
at each of its locations. Thousands of book titles, magazines, newspapers and
videos are on sale in English, along the four storeys building in Amsterdam. There
is also a special section for children and a really advisable collection of modern
fiction.
Address: Kalverstraat 152
Phone: +31 (0)20 638 3821
Tram: 1,
2, 4, 5, 9, 14, 16, 20, 24, 25. Opening Hours: from 11am to 6pm on Monday and
Sunday; from 9am to 6pm on Tuesday and Wednesday; from 9am to 9pm on Thursday;
from 9am to 7pm on Friday; and from 10am to 7pm on Saturday.
Credit Card:
AmEx, MC, V.
