Libraries provide information on culture in general, and they organize special events, such as playgroups, language cafés (taalcafés) for improving your Dutch, and workshops, as well as a range of events for internationals.
Children are well catered for with foreign-language books, storytime in Dutch and other languages, and organized events and activities.
And all this is free for under 18s!
Eindhoven Library
Eindhoven library’s flagship location is in the city center (in ‘De Witte Dame’), and there are also locations in Best and Waalre. In some neighborhoods you can also visit a Bibliotoop for library services and meeting new people.
Eindhoven library offers not only books, newspapers, ebooks, and other library resources, but also lots of activities and events for internationals, such as:
- A free language café (taalcafé) for practicing your Dutch
- Makers Club (7-13 years old)
- Makers Space (13 years and up, also adults)
- Monthly dinner club
- Mums and toddlers international playgroups
- Storytelling for children in 12 languages
- The International Children's Book Collection which currently has books in 31 languages (and this number is growing).
Children’s memberships are free!
Language Café
Learn Dutch by putting it into practice! You discuss all kinds of subjects in small groups of 5 people at most and a volunteer. For example, you might talk about a visit to the supermarket, a parent-teacher meeting at school, or a birthday visit to a neighbor - anything can be a topic of conversation! Sessions take place on Thursday mornings, 10:30-12:00.
BorrowBox
The library also offers free ebooks, audiobooks and more than 100 language courses via BorrowBox. You can download the BorrowBox app in the iTunes App store, Google Play store or use it on your desktop computer.
IDO – Informatiepunt Digitale Overheid
At Eindhoven library locations you can also turn to the Information point if you have any questions about DigiD, allowances, local authority services or other digital national government services, like applying for an ID or passport, student grants, paying fines and more.
More information
For more information and dates/times, check: www.bibliotheekeindhoven.nl/english or just walk into one of their locations and ask a member of staff.
Veldhoven Library
Veldhoven Library hosts a monthly read-aloud session for children in various languages, including Dutch, Chinese, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Turkish. The library also has a Chinese Children's Book Zone with more than 200 books for children ages 1-6.
In addition, there is a language café for practising your Dutch.
More information: bibliotheekveldhoven.nl