OUT AND ABOUT
LIBRARIES AND BOOKSTORES Some Belgian libraries have small foreign language sections, and stock English language books and newspapers. You can also find free internet access for registered users, large print books for the visually impaired and DVDs in original languages. Most libraries usually close Sundays. Brussels can point to a large number of libraries that offer a range of public services. The Royal Library of Belgium houses the famous Fetis archives and, remarkably, every single book published in the country or written by a Belgian citizen. It holds concerts, as well as storytelling for children during school holidays, and runs guided tours. Meanwhile, the Children’s Library contains a large selection of books and comics in English for children and teenagers, with titles that are constantly being renewed. Also of interest for children is the Centre Crousse, which offers a toy library.
Away from libraries, Pêle Mêle is a store selling second-hand English books, video games, CDs and DVDs, and a range of English and international books can be found at Sterling Books, Waterstones and Passa Porta, to name a few. In Antwerp the Permeke library runs a book club where readers are invited to poetry readings twice a month. In fact, using the libraries in Antwerp can benefit you further as you can collect points on your ‘A Card’, a loyalty card for use at leisure and cultural facilities in the city. The Permeke library also has a reading session for children every Sunday. Similar reading clubs and children’s activities are held throughout the year in Gent’s libraries. Liège’s central library may have fewer modern English language books but an excellent choice of CDs and DVDs.
English
books
in the heart of
Brussels
From gripping fiction to beautiful children’s books and everything in-between, find your perfect book at Waterstones. With our friendly, expert booksellers and unbeatable range, you’ll find everything you need and more. Waterstones, Blvd Adolphe Maxlaan 71-75 1000 Brussels +32 2 2192708 Monday - Saturday: 9am - 7pm Sunday: 10.30am - 6pm
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25/09/2014 13:20 BELGIUM EXPAT SURVIVAL GUIDE 2015 | WWW.EXPATICA.COM
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