Gāliņciems library – multifunctional centre

Gāliņciems Library is located in Gāliņciems, one of the residential areas in Ventspils, on the left bank of the Venta River. This is a growing area – it is a popular choice for families who are building their homes here. This neighbourhood has its own library since 1954. It was initiated by Herbert Dorbe, well-known Latvian writer, head of Ventspils library at that time and resident of Gāliņciems, so that the residents would not have to travel to the city center to get books to read.

At first, the library was located in the Pastoral Manor, but when the conditions there became completely unsuitable for work, since 2003 the library was located in a 90 square metre space next to the local doctor’s office.

The active work of the Gāliņciems library and events that attracted more and more visitors, created the need for new, more spacious premises, which would not only offer library services, but also serve as a social centre of Gāliņciems, a place for concerts, exhibitions, performances, a place for inhabitants to spend their leisure time. The idea of building a community centre in Gāliņciems was supported by Ventspils City Council in 2013.

The new building of Gāliņciems library is 620 square metres in size, with ample space to house the library’s collection, a hall that can host a variety of events, as well as space for free access to computers and a separate area for children and youngsters.

The new building has a glass facade. The core of the building, made of curved wooden panels, houses ancillary facilities. On the west side there is a terrace overlooking a bunch of big trees.

As a result of the implementation of the project, a new multifunctional service, heritage and community center has been created with all the necessary infrastructure to provide library services and a wide range of cultural and educational activities, contributing to the preservation and development of intangible cultural heritage, six new services related to the preservation of traditional lifestyles and identities in areas such as the local dialect and folklore, ancient craft skills, literature and writing, cultural and natural heritage identification and preservation and the restoration of a degraded area.

Construction of the new Gāliņciems Library building started in November 2020 and finished at the end of 2022. The building was constructed by SIA “AMATNIEKS”. The building was designed by SARMA & NORDE Architects Ltd, which was selected by the municipality from 14 proposals submitted in a public call for tenders. The construction works were supervised by a certified specialist appointed by SIA “Būves un būvsistēmas”.

The total eligible costs of the project “Establishment of a Multifunctional Service Center in Gāliņciems” Nr.5.5.1.0/19/I/001 were EUR 2.8 million, including EUR 2.38 million or 85% co-financing from the European Regional Development Fund, EUR 84 thousand or 3% state budget subsidy and EUR 337 thousand or 12% from the municipal budget. The project was implemented by the Ventspils City Municipality institution “Ventspils Library” in cooperation with the Ventspils Municipality Ltd “Ventspils Real Estate” with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia and Ventspils City Municipality.