Budapest Library Celebrates 120 Years

To celebrate the 120th anniversary of the Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library, several of our locations will have special opening hours and a range of exciting programs for visitors.

On October 15, 2024, all our libraries will announce a special enrollment promotion, offering a 50% discount on the annual enrollment fee. On the same day, we will also observe Forgiveness Day, during which no late fees will be charged for overdue books returned during opening hours, provided they haven't yet been subjected to a payment order.

Most of our libraries will operate according to their usual Tuesday hours, but some will have special or extended opening hours and offer birthday programs for visitors.

You can find our birthday library programs at the bottom of the article. The programs will be held in Hungarian, and the linked articles will direct you to content in Hungarian. The article is continuously updated.

Innovation and Value Preservation: New Services, Family and Reading Promotion Programs at the Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library

The Metropolitan Library began operating in 1904, making it 120 years old this year. A few years after its founding, the institution became a modern public library, and today it is one of the busiest cultural institutions in Hungary. Last year, around 300,000 users accessed its services approximately 4 million times, and even higher usage figures are expected this year. In addition to developing its traditional services, the library is continuously evolving. In 2023, the Library of Soroksár underwent a two-phase renovation and now provides state-of-the-art services.
In May of this year, the e-book lending service based on the CloudLibrary platform was launched. In June, the number of automated book pickup points available 24/7 expanded to three with the addition of a book cabinet at Lövölde Square.

The library catalog has been updated with a modern, reader-friendly interface that includes community features, and the so-called silent book lending will start soon.

The international professional recognition of MESZL is evident in its recent invitation from the Public Libraries 2030 Foundation to join the Lighthouse Libraries—a collaborative network of the most innovative libraries in the European Union—making it the first institution in Hungary to receive this honor. In celebration of the jubilee year, several significant events will take place in the MESZL library network starting in September.

The MESZL was once again present at the International Book Festival as part of the Budapest Book Capital program series, welcoming interested visitors with a dedicated stand from September 26 to 29. During the 'Reading For Me' panel discussions, contributors shared their relationship with reading, including singer Veca Janicsák, Olympic champion fencer Tímea Nagy, actress Erika Szabó, writer János Háy, actor Viktor Klem, and Olympic champion water polo player Zoltán Szécsi.

The 'Home at the Library' series of family days continues, featuring musical programs, exhibitions, robotics workshops, and puppet shows for interested visitors at various libraries.

The free university program 'In the Footsteps of Zsuzsa Ferge's Professional Legacy' is continuing its third season, which focuses on European Union policies explored through presentations by expert speakers. The lectures will take place at the Ötpacsirta Salon.

The Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library has launched a discussion series titled 'One and a Half Decades: Society and Culture at the Time of the Birth of the Capital's Library', which reflects on Budapest in the early decades of the last century. This period aligns with the establishment and opening of the library, which is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year. The discussions will be held at the Ötpacsirta Salon.

Library of Garden suburb in Angyalföld

11:00-16:00 Craft workshop, quiz, insight into the library's behind-the-scenes

Babits Mihály Library

10:00-15:00 Exhibition of favourite books, birthday cake

Library of Békásmegyer

9:00-19:00 Special opening hours, library history photo exhibition, nostalgia-themed discussion, paper theater, crafts workshop

City Library of Vadász utca

11:00-17:00 Special opening hours, library history exhibition, FSZEK 120 quiz with prizes

16:00 Éva Bekő guitar concert

Library of Bíró Mihály utca

10:00: Seniors' Day - health consultations, poetry recitation championship, dance and singing performances, senior exercise demonstration

Library of Csillagtelep

10:00-16:00 Special opening hours

Library of Dagály utca

9:00-17:00 Special opening hours, crafts workshop, quiz

17:00 Thoughts in the Library - Literary program by the Budapest Poetry Club

Library of Havanna housing estate

11:00-17:00 Special opening hours

Library of Kálvária tér

13:00-19:00 Special opening hours

Library of Kelenföld

9:00-16:00 Library history exhibition, MESZL quiz with prizes, robotics workshop, author-reader meeting with writer János Háy

Library of Királyerdő

9:00-15:00 Special opening hours

Boulevard Library

15:00 Library Behind-the-Scenes Secrets - The Journey of a Book to the Bookshelf

Central Library

10:00-12:00 Children's program, library tour, concert, surprise

One and a Half Decades - Society and Culture at the Time of the Birth of the Capital's Library - A joint program series by the Budapest Collection and the Sociology Collection

Library of Pestlőrinc

9:00-14:00 Setting up a fairy tale tree, library quiz, historical exhibition, cake cutting

Zsigmond Móricz Library

10:00-16:00 All-day birthday celebration - mixed programs, games

17:00 Secrets of a City: Legends of Budapest and Legendary People of Budapest

Library of Pestszentimre

10:00-15:00 Special opening hours

Library of Soroksár

9:00-14:00 Special opening hours

Library of Ugocsa utca

17:00 The legendary mountains

Library of Üllői út

17:00 Noémi Szécsi: Women and Literature, Women in Literature at the Turn of the Last Century

Photo: MESZL