dbieb is one of the most inspiring public places in the heart of Leeuwarden. A place where everyone is welcome to come and find inspiration, read, explore, learn and meet others. One of the main attractions of this modern library is its location in the Blokhuispoort business centre in Leeuwarden. The Blokhuispoort is a national monument of great cultural value and has a rich history. Built in 1499, for centuries it served as a penal institution where prisoners were incarcerated. The building has witnessed many remarkable events, including a spectacular raid by the Dutch Resistance on 8 December 1944. Today, the Blokhuispoort is a vibrant cultural centre and creative business hub. The central branch of dbieb opened there following the refurbishment in 2018.
Anyone who enters dbieb will see traces of the past: the historic character of the building has been preserved as much as possible. A walk through the building, which contains a collection of more than 7,200 books, is a voyage of discovery. dbieb attracts around 300,000 visitors a year. There are more than 200 study stations, 30 of which are equipped with computer facilities. Many students come here daily, to work and study. The De Kapel room at the heart of dbieb was originally the prison chapel. Today it is a multifunctional space with a welcoming 1950s interior where period features such as the wooden ceiling and original structural elements have been preserved. It provides a wonderful setting for the public events, theatre productions and author readings held here on a regular basis. Bajes Streetfood Club in the middle of dbieb offers refreshments for those who visit the library.
Every day at dbieb people of all ages participate in activities that address various cultural and social issues. Those who want to challenge themselves, find inspiration or develop their skills can take advantage of courses, workshops, lectures, read-aloud sessions, events and performances. Together with local partners such as the Fries Museum, the Fryslân campus of Groningen university and the Stadsschouwburg De Harmonie theatre in Leeuwarden, dbieb works to make culture accessible to everyone.
There are also services for individuals, who can learn how to use computers and find out about things such as e-government, taxes, benefits, arranging care and finding work. These services are provided at the branches of dbieb and also outside dbieb, in community centres and other places where people gather. dbieb also operates in more than 60 primary schools. Dedicated reading consultants organise, facilitate and help teachers implement reading, language and media policy.