Municipal library of prague

A place not only for learning

Have you been to the Municipal Library of Prague before? It has 46 branches throughout Prague and you’ll find a wide range of services and activities – from lending books and magazines and organizing seminars and workshops to public events and more. Whether you are looking for a quiet place to study or rest – the library is a perfect choice. And the best part? Most of those services are completely free of charge!

So what does the Municipal library actually offer? That depends on whether you’re a registered member or not. Check out the overview down below.

A. Visiting without a library card

Services available to unregistered visitors:

Unlimited access to Wi-FI or the possibility to use an available computer with an internet connection for 15 minutes
Newspaper, magazines, books – option of reading Czech or foreign language (especially English, Russian, Ukrainian, or Polish) books right in the library
E-books (primarily in Czech and English)
PressReader app in the Central Library – online access to both Czech and foreign newspapers and magazines
Self-study in a quiet environment
Public events – lectures, workshops, children’s activities, movie screenings, concerts, yoga and art classes, etc. Current overview can be found HERE.
Tutoring kids who need help with school – whether it’s checking homework, support with regular schoolwork, or preparing for entrance exams. For more information visit the library website.
Czech language courses for foreigners. For more information visit the library website.
Digital counseling for seniors, who would like to learn how to correctly use a tablet or a smartphone and gain confidence in navigating online safely. You can find current dates HERE.
Places to carry out your own activities. Are you looking for a place where your hobby club, study group, or just you with your language tutor can meet? The library offers free, quiet, and comfortable places where you can work or discuss your thoughts and ideas. Where? Upon agreement at the following branches (registration might be required in some cases):

Our tip: Visit the new branch of the Municipal Library in Prague in Libeň – Velký Mlýn. Except for a wide choice of books you can enjoy a coffee from the coffee shop located right in the branch of the library. It’s a comfy place where you can dive into the book and enjoy moments of calm.

B. Visiting with a library card

Services available to registered visitors:

All services found under the “Visiting without a library card” are still available
Lending books, magazines, board games, music CDs, language textbooks, music sheets, all of which you can take home with you
Booking a PC with an internet connection for one hour per day
The option of playing a “silent piano” for playing music directly into a headset at the Central Library
The option to try virtual reality or playing on a console.
The option of using creative centers services:
Jezerka Studio – sewing machines rental
- Do you need to alter your dress? Would you like to learn sewing? You’ll find tailoring equipment and experienced consultants in the Studio!
- You’ll find the Studio at the Jezerka branch
DOK 16 – Neighborly workshop at the Smíchov waterfront
- You can use hand and power tools
- Workshops and courses on working with paper and wood
- Seminars aimed (not only) on crafts and sustainable lifestyle
- Saturday family activities, community events, swaps, and more
- More information HERE.
Central library – creative workspace CentrUM
- Shared space where you can work on your projects or learn something new
- You can use photo and video editing software, printing, lamination and mechanical binding equipment, 3D printing, pin-making machine
- Workshops: bookbinding, caligraphy and lettering, 3D print modelling
- More information HERE.

DO YOU KNOW THAT: The Municipal Library in Prague not only has standard branches but also bibliobuses? These mobile libraries run according to a timetable and stop at various stations where you can borrow books. Bibliobuses also visit various public events that are usually connected to books and reading. You can read more HERE.

How to register?

Registration is possible at any of the library branches. The annual fee is 80 CZK (free for members under 15 and over 70 years). The library card can then be used at any of the library branches.

EU citizens need a valid identification document issued by an EU country to register. Third-country nationals need a Czech residence permit. If they don’t have such a permit, they may either pay a deposit of 1000 CZK or register with a guarantor.

If you don’t speak Czech, you may use the free of charge services of intercultural workers. They can help you understand the library activities, help you with registration and deal with other necessary steps. You can contact the ICP intercultural workers directly, you’ll find their list HERE. A complete list of intercultural workers from all Prague NGOs can be found at the Prague For All website.

Contact information:

Library website: mlp.cz
An overview of all branches, including addresses and contacts: mlp.cz/cz/pobocky/
E-mail: knihovna@mlp.cz, Phone: +420 222 113 555

And to wrap it up, how does it actually work in the library? You can borrow a book from any branch or even the bibliobus and return it elsewhere. And if your dream book is currently borrowed by someone else or available only at a far branch, you can simply reserve it on the library’s website and get it delivered wherever it suits you best (attention – this service has a 25kč/title fee).

You don’t have enough time to finish a book? There’s no problem at all! Log into your account on the library’s website, open the tab “Loans” and you can prolong the borrowing time of some books. There is a simple trick how to prolong your borrowing time for books where prolongation is not possible but that are not reserved by anyone else – simply return them to the library and borrow them again right away.

Promotional flyer EN Promotional flyer RU Promotional flyer UKR Promotional flyer VI