Overview

Public accessible loos are very rare in the Netherlands. Main train stations have them, but these are not always in the centre of town. Alkmaar's beautiful modern library has one, it's free to use during opening hours and all you have to do is go to the desk and ask to borrow the key.

Transport & Parking

There's a disabled parking space about two minutes wheel away. We didn't use it.

Access

A level entrance with wide automatic doors The circulating spaces are good, though the loo shares a corridor with a computer and music synthesizer area, so users need to be careful when coming out - the door swings outwards and you might hit some budding composer or techno-geek.

Toilets

Good space and grab rails round the loo. Not sure whether side transfer is feasible - we couldn't work out whether/how the baby changing bench (which is close to the loo) folds up. The washbasin is approachable and there's the usual Ditch round the room at skirting board level alarm cord.

Staff

Helpful, courteous and English speaking.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

It's an attractive modern building and also has a pleasant café. The Library is at the North end of the historic city centre, close to the Grote Kerk. Helpfully it is open on Mondays when the Grote Kerk, which also has an accessible loo, is not.

Photos