Metroteka Library To Transform Warsaw’s Metro Into A Cultural Hub And Tourist Spot

Published on September 7, 2025

Warsaw, nan superior of Poland, has conscionable opened a unsocial room astatine nan Kondratowicza M2 statement metro station successful nan Targówek district, offering some locals and visitors a modern twist connected taste and acquisition spaces. The Metroteka, a conception designed to promote group to publication more, is located successful nan bosom of nan engaged metro station. The room not only features 16,000 books disposable for borrowing, but it besides offers a hydroponic garden, communal workspaces, and a assortment of events aimed astatine engaging nan nationalist pinch important world issues.

This innovative inaugural intends to bring lit and knowledge person to nan people, particularly for those who mightiness not typically sojourn a accepted library. With nan changing habits of nan modern world, wherever galore group move to smartphones and streaming services for entertainment, Metroteka hopes to beryllium nan span for reviving Poland’s emotion for reading.

A New Type of Library Experience

Metroteka is designed to beryllium much than conscionable a spot to get books. It blends nan convenience of modern exertion pinch a emotion for books, offering contactless checkout utilizing chips and offering a self-return system via a street-level locker that operates 24/7. The room has 2 dedicated areas—one for adults and different for children—and offers a wide assortment of books, from classical lit to travel guides and how-to books, aiming to pull some readers and funny visitors.

One of nan astir striking features of Metroteka is its hydroponic plot wall, which grows herbs for illustration basil and oregano, and flowers specified arsenic nasturtiums and pansies, each without earthy sunlight aliases soil. This plot is not only an artistic touch but serves arsenic an acquisition instrumentality arsenic well, pinch events and discussions planned astir sustainability, food security, and climate change. The plot provides a refreshing opposition to nan different subterranean situation of nan metro station, making it a serene flight for those who request a infinitesimal distant from nan hustle and bustle of metropolis life.

Metroteka’s Role successful Warsaw’s Tourism and Culture

For tourists visiting Warsaw, Metroteka offers a glimpse into nan Polish culture and its increasing liking successful sustainability and modern education. As visitors research Warsaw’s humanities sites, including nan Royal Castle and Lazienki Park, they tin besides acquisition this innovative library, which showcases a forward-thinking attack to public spaces. It’s an opportunity to not only get books but to interact pinch nan community, be public readings, and return portion successful events astir world issues.

The room offers a coffee aliases hot chocolate to those who want to relax aft a time of sightseeing, providing a cozy spot to unwind. Whether you’re catching up connected your reference aliases exploring nan city’s increasing taste scene, Metroteka adds an breathtaking and acquisition furniture to your Warsaw visit.

Encouraging More Reading successful Poland

In caller years, reading habits successful Poland person seen a decline. According to a survey by nan National Library of Poland, only 41% of respondents reported reference astatine slightest 1 book successful 2024, a crisp driblet from nan 50s successful nan precocious 1990s and early 2000s. With much group turning to TV shows and streaming services, nan fame of reference has waned. The humanities discourse besides plays a role, pinch Poland losing 70% of its libraries during World War II. As a result, galore generations grew up without seeing books arsenic an integral portion of regular life.

The Metroteka library intends to alteration that by offering a modern and accessible abstraction that encourages reading. It’s designed to beryllium approachable and inviting, not intimidating. By opening a room successful a metro station, Metroteka seeks to redefine nan image of libraries arsenic places of silent reference and toggle shape them into vibrant spaces for discussion, creativity, and learning.

The Future of Libraries successful Warsaw

Metroteka is conscionable 1 of galore innovations that are helping to redefine libraries successful nan 21st century. The National Library has besides created a ‘loud’ reference room, wherever soundlessness is not expected, breaking nan accepted rules of room etiquette. These changes purpose to make libraries much engaging and accessible, encouraging group from each walks of life to walk clip successful these taste spaces.

As portion of its ngo to beforehand reading, Metroteka has already seen success, pinch complete 400 books leased connected its first day, mostly schoolhouse readings and celebrated recreation books. The convenience of borrowing books successful nan metro position makes it easier for commuters and visitors to prosecute pinch lit connected nan go, without having to walk clip navigating nan city’s much accepted room systems.

A Modern Twist connected Tradition

Metroteka successful Warsaw is much than conscionable a library—it’s a taste hub, offering a caller position connected really libraries can usability successful today’s world. For locals and tourists alike, it provides a unique, modern abstraction to read, learn, and prosecute pinch important topics successful a comfortable and accessible way. Whether a personification is looking to get a book, bask a coffee, aliases subordinate a nationalist debate, Metroteka is simply a valuable summation to nan city’s taste landscape.