Home / News / Central Public Library Area Regeneration Proposal back to news Central Public Library Area Regeneration Proposal Initiatives • News 27th July, 2021 The National Book Council and AP Valletta joined forces with the intention to explore the potential regeneration of the Central Public Library area whilst also proposing possible new spaces and uses that could be introduced in the Central Public Library building. The concept is to reinstate the historic thread linking the bastions with a reinvigorated green belt running through the site, connecting MICAS to the entrance to Valletta as well as creating a new green, open and safe space. “Cicero said, ‘if you have a garden in a Library, then nothing is missing’. This philosophy, in which architecture and landscape are deeply connected and interrelated, is at the core of our work”, commented David Felice, AP Valletta’s executive director. “The exercise we carried out at the Central Public Library area aims at bringing together books and the building with the surrounding landscape, injecting new life into the Central Public Library and its surroundings while restoring and enhancing its genius loci.” Section across the area of the Central Public Library. Credits AP Valletta. “Public libraries are an essential part of the book industry and also an important national asset,” remarked Mark Camilleri, the Chairman of the National Book Council. “We should make sure that public libraries are accessible, attractive and welcoming to the public. The current state of affairs leaves much to be desired, and with our plan we hope to regenerate the Central Public Library and increase its use at an exponential rate. We have to look to the future with concrete plans which are effective. Being complacent is not an option.” Artistic view of the new green pedestrian access. Central Public Library area Regeneration proposal. Credits AP Valletta. As a result of a preliminary phase of site analysis and research, The National Book Council and AP Valletta identified the four pillars of the regeneration: – Improve visibility and accessibility through a new green pedestrian access which would invite people to explore the area and facilitate access to the roof level as a new entrance to the Central Public Library. – Offer more and improved indoor and outdoor space, which could be reorganised to create new areas for different uses. – Provide a series of flexible spaces to diversify activities and events such as public events, seminars and informal gatherings organised by the community, gravitating around culture, literature, education and leisure activities. – Extend opening hours, keeping the library alive and open until late at night. [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxH-2ka1M14[/embedyt] This independent design proposal is also part of ‘Building Futures’, a collaboration between AP Valletta and the Malta Chamber, which is also endorsing the project. SHARE POST Related Articles Malta Book Fund Goes Fully Online with an Increased Budget for 2025 Malta Book Fund 17th March, 2025 Read More The National Book Council has rebranded! News 5th March, 2025 Read More Call for Delegates: Malta Named Focus Country for the 2025 Mediterranea Publishing Fellowship Initiatives 28th February, 2025 Read More The National Book Council at the 2025 London Book Fair News 25th February, 2025 Read More NBC and Wikimedia Malta announce Wikimedians in Residence for National Book Prize Project News 20th February, 2025 Read More National Book Prize 2025 – Applications Are Open National Book Prize 17th February, 2025 Read More NBC empowers local stakeholders at the London Book Fair 2025 Literary Exports 11th February, 2025 Read More The NBC’s Annual Report For 2024 News 4th February, 2025 Read More Festivals, Funds And Initiatives In 2025: Key Dates Festivals 29th January, 2025 Read More Join the NBC at the London Book Fair 2025: Guest Passes for NBC stakeholders from Malta Literary Exports 13th January, 2025 Read More view all similar news
Malta Book Fund Goes Fully Online with an Increased Budget for 2025 Malta Book Fund 17th March, 2025 Read More
Call for Delegates: Malta Named Focus Country for the 2025 Mediterranea Publishing Fellowship Initiatives 28th February, 2025 Read More
NBC and Wikimedia Malta announce Wikimedians in Residence for National Book Prize Project News 20th February, 2025 Read More
NBC empowers local stakeholders at the London Book Fair 2025 Literary Exports 11th February, 2025 Read More
Join the NBC at the London Book Fair 2025: Guest Passes for NBC stakeholders from Malta Literary Exports 13th January, 2025 Read More