Mayor Bém considering Congress Centre as home for National Library

Prague Mayor Pavel Bém has said he is considering the possibility of housing the National Library in the Prague Congress Centre. In a debate on commercial TV Prima on Sunday, the mayor said the Congress Centre would naturally have to be reconstructed to meet the library’s needs but it would mean that a new building would not have to be built. The suggestion comes in the wake of months of controversy over the winning design for a new library building by London- based architect Jan Kaplický. The futuristic gold-and-purple design was intended for Letná Plain but the town hall is vehemently opposed to the idea, saying that it would ruin the panorama of the city.