{"id":4561,"date":"2026-03-14T15:28:51","date_gmt":"2026-03-14T14:28:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vooruit.comingsoon.site\/?post_type=nieuws&#038;p=4561"},"modified":"2026-03-16T15:38:37","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T14:38:37","slug":"muntpunt-now-opens-at-9-a-m-innovative-system-gives-brussels-residents-the-key-to-the-house-themselves","status":"publish","type":"nieuws","link":"https:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/en\/news\/muntpunt-now-opens-at-9-a-m-innovative-system-gives-brussels-residents-the-key-to-the-house-themselves\/","title":{"rendered":"Muntpunt now opens at 9 am: an innovative system gives the people of Brussels themselves the \u2018key to the house\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Muntpunt will open its doors from 27 April 2026 on weekdays at 9 am with unmanned access for registered members. This will extend the Brussels library's opening hours without deploying additional staff. Flanders and the Flemish Community Commission (VGC) are jointly investing more than \u20ac200,000 to make this modernisation possible. Muntpunt aims to become an even more open house for Brussels, where visitors can study, work or read early in the day.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cOur libraries are an integral part of our urban infrastructure. By extending opening hours, we are increasing accessibility and convenience for visitors. After all, libraries are crucial places where everyone can access culture, knowledge, and social interaction in an accessible and affordable way. With an unmanned desk, Muntpunt is taking the next step in its development as a library of the future,\u201d says VGC college member&nbsp;<\/em><em><strong>Ans Persoons<\/strong><\/em><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Also&nbsp;<\/em><em><strong>Cieltje Van Achter<\/strong><\/em><em>, The Flemish Minister for Brussels welcomes the initiative. \u201cAs the flagship of the Flemish community in Brussels, Muntpunt plays an important role in the cultural and social life of the city. By opening its doors earlier, this open house for knowledge and connection becomes even more accessible to all Brussels residents. Naturally, safety remains essential. That is why investments have been made in camera surveillance, adaptations to the entrance, and the Open+ access system.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Previously open to those studying, working, or simply seeking peace<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Via a simple access system, registered members can enter with their ID card or library card and a personal code. Muntpunt is literally handing over the keys to the house to the people of Brussels. An added value for the early birds among the 2,400 visitors Muntpunt receives on busy days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During the future unstaffed hours \u2013 between 9 and 11 AM \u2013 regular members will now have the opportunity to use the library early. WiFi, reading spots, newspapers and magazines will be available, and the coffee machine will also be on. With the new format, Muntpunt wants to better serve these early visitors while simultaneously highlighting the library even more as an accessible and welcoming meeting place in Brussels.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Innovation in challenging times<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Those who wish to register or have a question can now visit the Muntpunt counter daily from 11 am, where staff will be available. The new opening hours will be trialled over the coming months. Following an evaluation, Muntpunt will assess whether the system can be further expanded.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The technology behind the system is called Open+. It allows a library to open without permanent desk staff and makes Muntpunt's operations more efficient. By making clever use of technology, the library can still be open for longer periods for the public.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cOpen+ creates more opening hours and confirms that we as an organisation dare to innovate, even in difficult times,\u201d says&nbsp;<\/em><em><strong>Katrien Vande Walle<\/strong><\/em><em>, Commercial Director<\/em><em><strong><\/strong><\/em><em>from Muntpunt.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Safety and guidance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During unmanned hours, there is a Dutch-speaking steward present in the building and there is CCTV surveillance. Access is only possible for registered members aged 18 and over, after signing the regulations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201c<em>\u201dVisitors who require more guidance will be approached and helped personally in the first few weeks,\" says&nbsp;<\/em><em><strong>Katrien Braeckman<\/strong><\/em><em>, reception coordinator.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Saturday hour change<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For your information: From April onwards, Muntpunt will open on Saturdays at 11 am instead of 10 am.<\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":4562,"template":"","categories":[],"class_list":["post-4561","nieuws","type-nieuws","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Muntpunt opent voortaan al om 9 uur: innovatief systeem geeft de Brusselaars zelf de \u2018sleutel van het huis\u2019 - Vooruit.brussels<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/en\/news\/muntpunt-now-opens-at-9-a-m-innovative-system-gives-brussels-residents-the-key-to-the-house-themselves\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Muntpunt opent voortaan al om 9 uur: innovatief systeem geeft de Brusselaars zelf de \u2018sleutel van het huis\u2019 - Vooruit.brussels\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Muntpunt opent vanaf 27 april 2026 op weekdagen al om 9 uur met een onbemande toegang voor geregistreerde leden. Daarmee verruimt de Brusselse bibliotheek haar openingsuren zonder extra personeel in te zetten. Vlaanderen en de Vlaamse Gemeenschapscommissie (VGC) investeren samen meer dan 200.000 euro om deze modernisering mogelijk te maken. 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