Biblioteca Municipal Florbela Espanca — Attraction in Matosinhos

Now there are electronic screens at the entrance. Now not even in the library I am free from the absolutism of electronic screens imposing media mode on the mind. It is an amazing library but I had to remove all five stars because I cannot use it anymore. Perhaps only be by the lake on the side far from the bar. Actually I'll probably give up the library as a whole because it gets me disheartened and it is not good for the act of studying. I'll be in some tiny public square when it isn't raining or too cold, and leave Matosinhos before they install electronic screens on the sky

Due to its intrusive nature and active content, electronic media must be chosen and not imposed

If you think through an excessively narrow and unreal pragmatism, you may think the electronic screen is informing. But in fact it is the contrary. Because the content on the electronic mutable and essentially immaterial screen does not have human anchorage. Information is not simply to present the content. It is mainly the substance of the media i.e. the context in which the content is presented The electronic screen therefore works as a vehicle of alienation, instead. It separates us from the library, placing between us an electronic and marketing elaboration system that is highly artificial and thus lacks the necessary communicative premises

It is a mechanization and emptying of the humane essence of communication. Apart from those negative effects, no one really pays attention to it. It is mere pollution

The library is now fundamentally impoverished in its intellectual essence. Electronic media is intellectually passive and cognitively intrusive, intrinsically. Not compatible with a library. And why would it be. It is simply an anachronic and acritical trend and such administrative decision is made from imitation rather than from a capacity of a contextualized conception of what a library essentially is

This uncritical veneration of technology is very 20th centuryish. It could have been overcome in the post postmodern era we live in. But it seems we are still cave men awestruck by tech as if it were anything new. And now that we know the irreplaceable importance of nurturing the opposite i.e. the humane. It is very philosophically backwards for a library to adopt such media. That this casino-fication of the mind still happens in the commerce is backwards but understandable, since commercial minds tend to be rather narrow. At a library it was disappointing and disillusioning

A bar that shares such important library building, both in terms of proximity and architectural/urbanistic importance, should not have music of a kind that leaks bass or leaks anything at all. Not only due to disturbance, but mainly taste, class, solemnity and most of all, adequacy i.e. to combine and enhance the potential of charm and functionality. The bar could and should take its charm from the library atmosphere instead of contrasting. As it is it doesn't match and it devalues drastically the architectural ensemble. Mainly because of the music. If at all, it should be very soft. Silence would be perfectly adequate There are other restaurants in Matosinhos that are silent and they are good. The one at the library has all the more reason to choose this charm. The management seems to not be able to fit to circumstances and make the most of it. Perhaps for lack of the necessary cultural reach and vision. And sensitivity

This building is conceived as being prone to contemplative and literary enjoyment both in its interior and gardens. It seems appropriate to wise up a space that is such a priceless cultural and social public investment

I see a small child playing and enjoying the space as if she could read the architecture. The bar, in turn.. has an intellectually narrow nightlife-ish vibe depleted of this sense of perception

Obs. Tobacco use also compromises the use of the gardens. Especially if one considers the presence of children. As I see, outdoor spaces next to buildings are now de facto smoking areas in Matosinhos, not really what I'd call...

Hoje como diariamente antes de ir trabalhar,passo na biblioteca para ler o jornal..... A anos nunca tive problemas as pessoas lêem e passam aos outros, hoje estava um senhor á mais de meia hora com o jornal.... Eu esperei que a responsável do local da leitura viesse e disse menina aquele senhor já está á mais de meia hora com o jornal, não podia dizer que estão pessoas á espera ? Ela respondeu assim, os jornais não têm limite pode estar o tempo que quiser.... Por favor está é a resposta certa ? Então eu entro na biblioteca agarro no jornal e leio o mais devagar possível para durar até á hora do almoço..... Quando alguém me vier pedir o jornal , desculpe não á limite de tempo eu ainda não acabei, e estou assim até o Almoço... Ok não sabia destas...

Good speed Internet. Beautiful building, with some climate issues on extreme temperatures, but overall great ambience. The staff sometimes should have more attention to noises but are nice...