Central Library Mönchengladbach: The Future is Now!

With the historically appropriate renovation and redesign of the Carl Brandts Haus Central Library in Mönchengladbach, a visionary and already award-winning spatial and usage concept was brought to life in June 2023. The result: a feel-good place that is modern, inclusive, and welcoming to all. The fresh interior design is truly striking.

The central library is the city’s most frequented cultural and educational institution. It now offers the ideal spatial setting and is equipped with cutting-edge technology. Library director Yilmaz Holtz-Erşahin sums it up perfectly: "The architecture and design of the new building make the ideas of freedom and comfort tangible – especially for people who might not otherwise cross paths in everyday life. That’s the unique appeal of libraries: you can be completely on your own and still not feel alone. Just being there is enough – no membership, no pressure to perform, no commercial interests."

With that spirit in mind, the library’s digital infrastructure has been strategically developed – not least to foster digital inclusion and media literacy. Most recently, the offering was expanded to include a Nex.Locker LapSafe in the entrance area, making 36 freshly charged laptops available for loan at any time.

The brand-new Library of Things is another highlight: in 30 compartments of various sizes, users can instantly see – thanks to transparent doors and LED lighting – which items are available for borrowing with just a tap, from a spirit level to a VR headset.

Advanced self-service kiosks, return solutions, and security gates blend harmoniously with the atmospheric appearance. Numerous customer-specific adjustments regarding device design and technical requirements have been implemented, demonstrating the great flexibility of Nexbib's RFID solutions.

Current figures from the library’s annual review clearly illustrate these changes: In 2024, approximately 394,000 people visited the Central Library and its three branch libraries—around 92,000 more than in 2023 and nearly back to pre-COVID levels. One key reason: since June 2023, the opening hours of the Central Library Carl Brandts Haus have been extended from 38 to 74 hours per week.

Physical loans increased by 12% in 2024. Compared to 2019, the library recorded 120% more new registrations. Even between 2023 and 2024, there was a further increase of 15%. This growth is largely due to the diverse new spaces and services the library now offers, as well as broader time accessibility—which is only possible with efficient self-service solutions in place.

Open for All Until 10 PM

With the extended opening hours until 10 PM on weekdays, the library positions itself as contemporary and community-oriented. "We want to be as low-threshold as possible, meaning our spaces and services are available to everyone, not just people with a library card. This also applies during Open Library times, and even on Sundays! Therefore, we do not require entry identification with a library card at the entrance," explains Yilmaz Holtz-Erşahin.

Visitors still feel safe and, above all, comfortable. The centrally hosted Open Library Web Portal makes it easier for the team to manage opening hours and the use of video surveillance.

"The future viability and harmonious interplay of RFID systems are very important to us. Having library technology from a single source simplifies processes and stabilizes system operations. The ability to integrate the systems into a central monitoring and configuration tool guarantees safe and efficient operation. The Nexbib team, including project management and support, knows our needs and responds promptly. This was the only way the installation and commissioning could function under a tight schedule parallel to the reopening preparations. We are very satisfied with the personal and solution-oriented service," says the library director.

Custom Design

As soon as the discreet Nex.Gates at the main entrance of the Central Library are passed through, three sleek Nex.Kiosk Nordic units stand out, ready for users to self-checkout media and manage accounts. The self-service kiosks can be electronically adjusted to the desired height, making them accessible at all times. A special feature is the color scheme, which specifically reflects the corporate design of the Central Library and thus integrates perfectly into the foyer. The self-service kiosks, along with their Corian shelves, are uniformly designed in anthracite. The bases of the security gates are in the color of the door frames, which are also found in the shelves. The media trays of the two return systems in the foyer also repeat this elegant, modern color scheme. This makes the entire library technology visually cohesive. The cladding of the entire return and sorting system with aesthetic acoustic panels in oak corresponds to the house's minimalist design concept.

For user identification at Nex.Kiosk and Nex.Return, contactless Mifare cards are used. Their multifunctionality allows the desired flexible combination with other institutions and services. Moreover, due to their low detection range of a few centimeters and special data encryption, they offer increased process security and precision. As an alternative, customers also wanted to use the barcode of their library card integrated into their smartphone wallet. Therefore, all devices were additionally equipped with barcode readers.

Additional Security at the 24/7 Return

At the 24/7 outdoor return, a sluice prevents non-library media from being returned. The operation is very simple: when a book is identified at the Nex.Return tray, the front flap opens. The book can then be placed in the chute. It is moved only up to a second, rear flap. There, the medium's return authorization is first checked; the first flap is closed in the meantime. If the medium belongs to the library's collection, it is now returned to the library system, and the second flap opens. The book then swiftly moves on the conveyor belt until it is sorted into one of nine Nex.Bins.

New Digital Services

Catering to current usage habits, the library relies on mobile devices (laptops and tablets) and self-service for customer IT equipment. Since May 2024, users can borrow handy tablets from a Hublet Dock, a charging and storage station. For hours, they can browse, work, play, watch movies, or listen to podcasts at their favorite spot, and there are many in Carl Brandts Haus. Visitors can move more flexibly within the library to use various digital offerings for themselves or in groups. Public computer workstations are relieved.

Well-deserved: More Architecture Awards

In 2024, the Central Library has been honored with two more prestigious awards for its preservation-sensitive renovation: the North Rhine-Westphalia Architecture Prize and the German Lighting Design Award 2024.

In winter 2023, the library and the architectural firm Schrammel Architektur Stadtplanung received the Linker Niederrhein Architecture Prize for the monument-appropriate renovation and expansion and the modern usage concept, which has made the library a popular meeting place in the neighborhood.

The Central Library, with its concept Central Library of the Future: Open Library, Hybrid Learning Place, Innovative Networking Space, (Inter)Cultural Meeting Point, is an essential part of the Social City Gladbach & Westend funding measure for the redevelopment and strengthening of the city center and the neighborhood. The competition winner, Schrammel Architects, has successfully given space to the innovative concept with an exciting design between monument preservation and modernity: on approximately 3,000 sqm of public space, the library offers a lively, inclusive, and integrative place that invites all people to exchange, meet, and network, inspiring creativity, participation, joint actions, (experimental) learning, and discovery. The Mönchengladbach city community has found a new meeting place here!

The following systems are in use:

Central Library Carl Brandts Haus

3 Nex.Kiosk Nordic. Height-adjustable stand models in the library's own design
1 Nex.Return system with 9 sorting targets. 2 internal returns and 1 external return 24/7
2 Nex.Gates Diamond Premium. Each with a comfortable passage width of 145 cm
2 Hublet Docks with 6 tablets
Nex.365 Open Library
1 Nex.Locker Indoor / Library of Things
1 Nex.Locker LapSafe

District Library Rheydt

3 Nex.Kiosk Nordic. Height-adjustable stand models in the library's own design
1 Nex.Return system with 7 sorting targets and two media return options: in the foyer and inside the library
1 Nex.Gate Diamond Premium

School and District Libraries Giesenkirchen and Rheindahlen

1 Nex.Kiosk Nordic. Height-adjustable stand models in the library's own design for lending, returning, and paying fees
1 Nex.Gate Diamond Premium

Central Library Mönchengladbach

The Central Library Mönchengladbach is open to all, colorful and lively. Competent, innovative, and customer-oriented, it accompanies the entire community with over 250,000 media for leisure, school, and work, the internet, 24/7 service and Web 2.0, advice and reading promotion, readings, projects, and exhibitions through all stages of life. With media and people, it opens worlds. The entire diversity of the media world is high-quality and always up-to-date thanks to the latest technologies. The city library is much more than a lending station, but rather a place for inspiration and relaxation, a workplace, and an (inter) cultural meeting point.

Megatrends like digitalization, sustainability, and democracy play an important role in their work. The current funder of the Smart City Model Project has approved the measure to set up a Citizen Lab for active digital participation for all in the Central Library.

More info at Central Library Mönchengladbach.

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