Norsk 101: Deichman Bjørvika

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Oslos nye hovedbibliotek — Oslo’s new main library

Deichman Library

Photo: Tord Baklund / VisitOslo
Oslo’s Deichman Library is a place of learning and a place of architectural beauty.

Brought to you by Christie Ericson

Deichman bibliotek (Deichman Library) er Norges største og eldste folkebibliotek (is Norway’s largest and oldest public library). Det ble grunnlagt i (It was founded in) 1785 og ble oppkalt etter (and was named after) Carl Deichman, som ga (who donated) boksamlingen sin til byen (his book collection to the city). 

Det gamle hovedbiblioteket (The old main library) var i bruk fra 1933 til 2019 (was in use from 1933 to 2019). I 2013 vedtok bystyret i Oslo (In 2013, the Oslo City Council decided) at det skulle bygges et nytt hovedbibliotek i Bjørvika (to build a new main library in Bjørvika). Det nye moderne biblioteket (The new modern library) åpnet i 2020 (opened in 2020), og det ligger ved Oslo havn (and it is located at Oslo harbor), like ved siden av Operahuset (right next to the Opera House).

I juni 2024 (In June 2024) fikk jeg endelig anledning (I finally had the opportunity) til å besøke det nye biblioteket (to visit the new library). Det tok meg nesten fire timer (It took me almost four hours) å utforske alle seks etasjene i biblioteket (to explore all six floors of the library). Sentralt plassert midt mellom Oslo sentralstasjon og Operaen (Centrally located between Oslo Central Station and the Opera), var biblioteket et travelt sted (the library was a busy place), fullt av turister (full of tourists), småbarnsfamilier (families with small children), skoleelever (students) og forskere (researchers).

Biblioteket har en stor samling (The library has a large collection) av bøker (of books), tidsskrifter (journals), film (films), og lydopptak (and sound recordings), både fysisk og digitalt (both physical and digital). I tillegg driver Deichman (In addition, Deichman offers) veiledning (guidance/reference help), språkkafeer (language cafés), og ulike arrangementer (and various events). 

De har også (They also have) en kinosal (a movie theater), et podkaststudio (a podcast studio), digitale lydproduksjonsrom (digital sound production rooms), spillområder (gaming areas) og spesialtjenester som Folkeverkstedet (and special services such as the Makerspace), for de som liker å (for those who like to) fikse, bygge, reparere og skape (fix, build, repair, and create). Har kan du bruke utstyr (Here you can use equipment) slik som (such as) 3D-skrivere (3D printers), symaskiner (sewing machines), laserkutter (laser cutters) og andre teknologier (and other technologies). 

Hver etasje har ulike (Each level has various) studie- og leseplasser (study and reading spaces) og møterom (and meeting rooms). I tillegg har biblioteket en koselig kafé (In addition, the library has a cozy café) og en restaurant (and a restaurant), med fantastisk utsikt over Oslofjorden (with a fabulous view over the Oslo fjord). 

Deichman vil hjelpe alle med (wants to help everyone) å finne kunnskap, innsikt og inspirasjon (to find knowledge, insight, and inspiration), og det har det absolutt gjort! (and it has certainly done so!)

See also “Inside the Deichman” by Tove Andersson, The Norwegian American, Sept. 4, 2020.

This article originally appeared in the August 2024 issue of  The Norwegian American.

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Christie Ericson

Christie Ericson is an academic librarian living in Anchorage, Alaska. She has a background in languages and linguistics and has been fulfilling her lifelong dream of learning the Norwegian language. She also serves as the cultural director and librarian at her local Sons of Norway lodge and is completely addicted to Selbu mitten knitting.