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
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
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
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
Registration for natural and legal persons:
free of charge / 12 months
Administration fee of registration reader card:
HUF 400 / 12 months
Daily card: HUF 1650 / day
Borrowing privileges in one library:
HUF 7800 / 12 months
HUF 5400 / 6 months
HUF 4000 / 3 months
Establishment of membership for using all branches simultaneously:
HUF 10000 / 12 months
HUF 7700 / 6 months
Discounts
