The New Library - Part one | 1983-2026

Now that a new chapter has begun for the Central Library Rotterdam, The New Library – Part One captures a key moment in the existence of one of the city’s most recognizable public buildings. The film shows how the characteristic interior is carefully dismantled and traces the trail back to the library’s origins. Changing ideas about knowledge, public space, and city life over the past 40 years have also been reflected in the library. Combining archival material and contemporary voices, the film links the building to Rotterdam’s ongoing process of self-renewal, raising the question of how the city can move forward while remaining connected to the places that form its collective memory. The film is the first part of a triptych and offers a well-timed portrayal of an iconic landmark dating from after 1965, and the questions it raises regarding its future role for the city and its inhabitants.