1000 children moved 6,000 books to Deichman Bjørvika

1,000 schoolchildren moved 6,000 books from the old main library to Deichman Bjørvika. With colourful rucksacks full of children's books on their backs, the children filled the streets of central Oslo and brought the library’s new building to life with cheering and dancing. Deichman Bjørvika opens its doors March 28 2020. 

“The most important books for the most important borrowers arrived at Deichman Bjørvika today. What a party! Thank you so much – we look forward to seeing you again when the library opens its doors,” said Merete Lie, department manager at Deichman Bjørvika, when the children gathered inside the new premises.

The best library in the world

The 1000 children were pupils from Ila school, Bolteløkka school, Møllergata school and St. Sunniva school. One of those who participated was Sølve Bovim Bugge, a 4th grade pupil at Ila School.

“I'm going to miss the old library, but the new one will be the best one in the world – even better than the old one,” says Sølve.

Sølve. Photo: Sunniva Adam 

Dancing and life

The children were greeted with fruit-juice and buns when they arrived at the new library. Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette-Marit welcomed the children to Deichman Bjørvika and talked to them about the pleasure of reading and the great experiences books offer.

“You have done one of the most important jobs – moving the books – the most important things in the library,” Crown Princess Mette-Marit told the children when they were gathered on the first floor of Oslo's new main library.

Oslo’s Mayor Marianne Borgen also greeted the schoolchildren.

Children’s TV presenter Selma Ibrahim from NRK Supernytt danced the “BlimE” dance with all the children and finally the students woke the building up with a loud shout!

Your Deichman

“This was a wonderful experience and shows how vibrant our Deichman libraries are. Oslo municipality has built Deichman Bjørvika for Oslo’s entire population and all our local libraries will find that they have a new main library behind them. On March 28, we will be welcoming both large and small to the opening of Deichman Bjørvika. We are really looking forward to sharing Oslo's new main library with you,” says library director Knut Skansen.

The children dancing in the first floor in Deichman Bjørvika. Photo: Tinna Ludviksdottir