Libraries through the lens De Petrus Library, Vught, the Netherlands


LIBRARIES through the lens heads to Vught, near S’Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands for its latest instalment.


Built on the site of a 14th Century straw-roofed chapel, the De Petrus Library is a re-purposed church building that was built between 1881 and 1884, but which fell into disrepair before being closed in 2005.


Thomas Guignard reveals how the local community came together to breathe new life into the building, saying: “Combining elements of Neo-Romesque and Rhein-


March 2024


land Gothic, the church is in the shape of a basilica with the cloverleaf apse and transept. Due to declining attendance and a shoestring budget, the church grad- ually fell into disrepair before it was finally closed in 2005 following an incident where debris fell from the ceiling during a service (thankfully no one was hurt). “St Pieter was saved from demolition by a group of local business owners and concerned citizens who established a nonprofit entity dedicated to the monu- ment’s preservation.”


Initial work was done to stabilise the


building, before it was transformed by architects Molenaar & Bol & Van- Dillen (now Buro Kade). Thomas says: “Renamed DePetrus, the church building now serves as public library, local museum, charity shop and community centre. All bookshelves and museum exhibits are cleverly mounted on tracks allowing them to be pushed aside in a matter of minutes, opening up the space for events. An elegant café occupies an extension built to one side of the choir, with seating expanding in the choir as well as the lush park surrounding the church.”


INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL 7


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60