Masaryk Public Library Vsetín
Masarykova public library in Vsetín (MVK) today represents much more than just a place for borrowing books. It is a vibrant community center that responds to the changing needs of its visitors and naturally expands its role in the public space of the city. This very ambition was at the heart of the proposal to modernize its main branch.
The fundamental starting point of the proposal was to perceive the library as a dynamic community center. Contemporary libraries have long exceeded the boundaries of traditional book borrowing – they are becoming places for meeting, education, creativity, and relaxation. This expansion was crucial for the proposal and was reflected in the organization of the individual floors and their atmosphere. Spatially, the goal was to connect individual functions as much as possible to create large functional areas for entire departments instead of the original separate smaller spaces with plenty of light and clarity.
The first floor offers visitors a figurative "library tasting." The reading room – an open and welcoming space where one can sit quietly, enjoy a coffee, and read the daily press. It serves as the first point of contact that aims to engage visitors and tune them into further exploration of the library.
The second floor is fully dedicated to children and young readers. The design here integrates the entire children's department into one seamless whole – from the smallest readers to the young adult category. The lending desk has been strategically moved to the staircase, allowing the librarian to be the first to welcome the young visitor.
For the youngest children, a space has been created in the glass extension at the entrance to the floor, emphasizing learning through play. A play structure inspired by the Beskydy mountains transports children to an imaginary landscape of Beskydy hills, while sliding shelves allow for flexible adjustments of the space according to the current program. Parents have not been forgotten – there is an area with a kitchenette where they can prepare coffee, tea, or heat food for the little ones.
As visitors grow older, they naturally move deeper into the layout. A connecting library corridor, inspired by libraries from fantasy, such as those in the Harry Potter stories, leads to the young adult section. Here, young people have space for meeting and their own activities – they can relax on sofas, play board games, engage in tabletop RPGs, or retreat to quieter nooks of the cave. This area also includes a creative workshop, which is one of the most creative spaces in the entire library and is used for workshops and clubs.
The third floor features the central lending area. Its layout continues the principles of the second floor, which eases visitor orientation. The lending desks and the option for light refreshments remain. The space is currently primarily oriented towards the library collection, but the design anticipates its future transformation. Flexibility is key here – in the glass part near the reception, it is easy to create an intimate reading space or smaller lectures with sliding shelves.
At the back of the third floor, there is a second lending desk and a specialized box for the visually impaired. Variability of seating throughout the library is a standard feature – from classic tables to armchairs and mobile seating elements. Visitors also have the option to reserve a study room in a quieter, private area.
The fundamental starting point of the proposal was to perceive the library as a dynamic community center. Contemporary libraries have long exceeded the boundaries of traditional book borrowing – they are becoming places for meeting, education, creativity, and relaxation. This expansion was crucial for the proposal and was reflected in the organization of the individual floors and their atmosphere. Spatially, the goal was to connect individual functions as much as possible to create large functional areas for entire departments instead of the original separate smaller spaces with plenty of light and clarity.
The first floor offers visitors a figurative "library tasting." The reading room – an open and welcoming space where one can sit quietly, enjoy a coffee, and read the daily press. It serves as the first point of contact that aims to engage visitors and tune them into further exploration of the library.
The second floor is fully dedicated to children and young readers. The design here integrates the entire children's department into one seamless whole – from the smallest readers to the young adult category. The lending desk has been strategically moved to the staircase, allowing the librarian to be the first to welcome the young visitor.
For the youngest children, a space has been created in the glass extension at the entrance to the floor, emphasizing learning through play. A play structure inspired by the Beskydy mountains transports children to an imaginary landscape of Beskydy hills, while sliding shelves allow for flexible adjustments of the space according to the current program. Parents have not been forgotten – there is an area with a kitchenette where they can prepare coffee, tea, or heat food for the little ones.
As visitors grow older, they naturally move deeper into the layout. A connecting library corridor, inspired by libraries from fantasy, such as those in the Harry Potter stories, leads to the young adult section. Here, young people have space for meeting and their own activities – they can relax on sofas, play board games, engage in tabletop RPGs, or retreat to quieter nooks of the cave. This area also includes a creative workshop, which is one of the most creative spaces in the entire library and is used for workshops and clubs.
The third floor features the central lending area. Its layout continues the principles of the second floor, which eases visitor orientation. The lending desks and the option for light refreshments remain. The space is currently primarily oriented towards the library collection, but the design anticipates its future transformation. Flexibility is key here – in the glass part near the reception, it is easy to create an intimate reading space or smaller lectures with sliding shelves.
At the back of the third floor, there is a second lending desk and a specialized box for the visually impaired. Variability of seating throughout the library is a standard feature – from classic tables to armchairs and mobile seating elements. Visitors also have the option to reserve a study room in a quieter, private area.
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