Københavns Hovedbibliotek

I come from a country where we don’t have much of reading culture, let alone library culture, so it was a very nice surprise for this particular bookworm to move to Denmark where the libraries are big, with lots and lots of books to borrow — for free! and with so many other stuff /​cultural things to do.
My eyes almost jumped out when I was told that there was no limit to how many books I could borrow, I could bring home as many books as I want and that if I can’t finish them all in a month then I can just renew them (online, nonetheless!) and if you can’t find that particular book you want but you find that it’s in another library, you can check it out and have it delivered to your local library. What a service!
Even back then when I was still living in another municipality, I visited this library a lot because they had more books here. It was just so easy to borrow books and return them with the machines and now that you could print your documents here as well toward a small fee (if you’re like me and think that it’s a waste of time to own a printer at home, get a printer card so you could print your tickets, documents, whatever here).
There are some comfy chairs to sit on if you chose to spend your time and read your books here instead of bringing them home, or if you’re just looking to chill after a walking tour on Strøget and Købmagergade.

Writing review while I’m still here in the library. Good place to stop for a break, print some documents (tricky but you’ll figure it out!), or use a free restroom. It is clean and organized and there is a small English section near the front.

We found ourselves laden wirh luggage and time to kill before catching a flight home, and as there are only so many cups of coffee you can drink we decided to drop into the Copenhagen Public Library.
A great modern space over a number of floors boasting a lovely coffee shop and plenty of rooms to study.
We spent about an hour and a half there browsing through the selected display of books near the entrance.
I picked up 2 of the books on display chosen by the library and found myself a seat… and found myself reading about the cinema theatre history of the UK and flicking through colourful promotional photos of the Butlins era.

Having frequented quite many of Copenhagens many different libraries, I must say that this is one of the ok+ ones. The building is airy and usually not too crowded and has some decent spots for studying with interesting views of the library hall and reception. It’s also fairly clean.
But it’s probably too crowded and noisy if you need to concentrate on something (which is usually why I would visit a library, I guess). The noise might have something to do with the «shared» location with Democratic Coffee Bar (which has awesome coffee btw). Might also have something to do with the fact that Borgerservice is also located here. Apparently, Hovedbiblioteket is the place to be!
These days they seem to be working on the interiors a little, so be prepared for drilling sounds! Nothing decent ear plugs can’t take care of for you, though.
A quick look at the literature collection, tells me that almost nothing is in it’s right place. Communication books are under religion and so on. But the fiction, music and children’s sections seem to be in order. Hovedbiblioteket also seems like a nice spot for taking the toddlers and smaller kids, seeing as a fair part of the third floor seems to be specialized for children.
Oh, and the escalators and toilets are often out of order. The first thing, not so much of a problem. The second thing can be a problem.

I really like this library because it has a lot of light all day as there is a large atrium in the middle. The downside is there is not a lot of space so if you come too late it is a bit hard to find a spot to sit. But the atmosphere is good and there is also a small café providing coffee all day!