After 15 years of planning, Monaco inaugurates Médiathèque Caroline combining library, music, video and games collections in 2,500 square metres with dedicated student study room.
The long-anticipated, 2,500-square-metre space brings together the Principality’s library, video and music collections, children’s library, and games library under one roof.
First Debuty Mayor Camille Svara, who oversees the Médiathèque, described the project as more than just a building. “It’s a unifying project, a space designed for all audiences, for all uses, in the service of knowledge, social connection, and creativity,” she said.
A long-awaited study room
Among the facility’s features is the Louis Notari room, which addresses a persistent request from students. For years, young people in Monaco have sought a quiet place for concentrated work and research. The dedicated room now provides exactly that: a silent environment separate from the busier areas of the building.
The study room forms part of a broader area of spaces designed for different uses. There’s a digital training room for learning new technologies, a workshop area for creative activities, and an atrium where visitors can gather or have a meal. An auditorium with 118 seats and two wheelchair spaces is also in the Médiathèque and will host film screenings, conferences, and concerts.
Collections and services
The Médiathèque houses 200,000 items across all formats. Membership remains free and now includes unlimited borrowing for three weeks (except video games).
The team of 36 staff members will manage 80 seating spaces throughout the building and coordinate around 300 events annually.
Open 39.5 hours a week, the facility caters to various age groups with tailored spaces. Young children have adapted furniture, while teenagers can access a manga corner and video games.
The elderly and those unable to visit receive personalised assistance, including home delivery.
Digital resources have expanded too, with seven online platforms offering books, films, press, music, and training courses. The new ‘Music me’ service provides access to 15 million tracks.
The facility, located at 5 promenade Honoré II, opens to the public on Thursday 11th December at 1pm. Thereafter, it will operate every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 10am to 6:30pm, with a Thursday opening at 1pm.
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Main photo by Monaco Life.