Chocolate Factory

The Chocolate Factory page 1

In February 2014 we moved to a new location: the old factory premises of Steenland Chocolate BV. In itself, a joint relocation is not very special. With increasing frequency, cultural and social institutions come together under the same roof. What makes our initiative special is that, together, we are developing a new way of working.

This new way of working is necessary because we want to continue to be of value to society in the future. Society is constantly changing, and information technology plays a crucial role in this. Not only has the internet become the most important source of information, it is also the place where people manifest their identity, maintain contacts, hold discussions and deploy initiatives. Online social networks form part of daily life, and countless people all over the world keep their own blogs and add their own content to these. Faced by the resulting deluge of information, there is a growing need for meaning, interpretation and significance.

An age has dawned in which such talents as creativity, imagination and lateral thinking are increasingly called upon. This new age is characterised by sharing, lending and exchange. These developments have the effect that organisations the world over have to relinquish their traditional working methods and patterns of thinking, and this may apply to an even greater extent when it comes to libraries and archives.

Giving people access to sources of knowledge, information and culture - this has always been our core business. However, this is a passive process that does not automatically lead to the creation and development of knowledge. We therefore aim to acquire a more active role in the future. We want to invite people to think, learn and acquire knowledge, thereby

The Chocolate FactoryThe Chocolate Factory (De Chocoladefabriek) forms the new accommodation for Gouda’s City Library, the Mid-Holland Regional Archive, The Gouda Fine Printing Society (Drukkers-werkplaats) and Restaurant Kruim. It is a new location for Gouda, for the region, and for all the enquiring people who live here. You can visit us seven days per week - we are always in business. That’s why we call it a factory.


making the whole of Gouda more intelligent and creative. That calls for an experimental environment, and we have created this in the Chocolate Factory.

Key themes of the Chocolate Factory are inspiration, knowledge sharing and knowledge creation. It is a place where stories are told and composed, making use of the collection’s entire wealth. Furthermore, we are talking not only about physical and digital media, but also about people: Gouda’s citizens and visitors, who contribute their knowledge and ideas. We assume that everyone must be good at something and should therefore be able to contribute. For that reason, we arrange our work processes in such a way as to enable optimal participation and co-creation.

“We love what you know. We’d love to know you.” That is our communal message to the people of Gouda, and everything on offer from the partners in the Chocolate Factory contributes to this: the City Library’s extensive collection and services, the valuable historical materials of the Mid-Holland Regional Archive, the unique knowledge of the craftsmen of the Fine Printing Society, and the quality and hospitality of Restaurant Kruim. Together, we form a marvellous, complementary partnership.

City Library Stimulating reading and supporting learning: that is what we, as a library, have always done and will continue to do. We want to invite people to think, learn and acquire knowledge because there will always be a need for this, even in the distant future. The collection forms the starting point for this. After all, without a collection there would be no library. It does not matter that some of the collection is in digital format. It is and will remain a carefully assembled collection of information, knowledge and stories, and we are keen to bring people into contact with this in all kinds of ways. For example, by constantly displaying new and exciting selections.

All the familiar ingredients of a library are there, but it is at the same time completely new and different. You can do research in the regional archive, make your productions in the Media Workshop, or participate in the Youth Workshop where children from 8 to 12 years old learn and discover things in many different ways. You can find out about the printer’s craft in the space of the fantastic Fine Printing Society, or take a seat on the beautiful wooden staircase, which also serves as a grandstand. Here you can enjoy passionate stories, animated arguments and debates, dreamy musicians or the joyful sound of choirs. All sorts of things are hap-pening. You have to see it for yourself!

Youth WorkshopWe have created a special place for children from 8 to 12 years of age: the Youth Workshop. Here they can read, listen, play, discover, tell stories, make things or just daydream. Everything is possible here. The Chocolate Factory

We love what you

know. We’d love to

know you.


is there for all the children, but we know that they are not all identical. Each child is inquisitive in a different way and learns in his or her own fashion. Some children love language, while others prefer arithmetic. You have children with a passion for sport and others who are always humming a tune. Yet others delight in foraging in the countryside, returning home with pockets full of shells and stones.

How do you make sure that all these unique children can derive pleasure from reading and learning? By appealing to their own talents and curiosity! For that reason, we have set up the Youth Workshop in such a way that there is something to learn, read or discover for every child. There are tables to work on, surrounded by cupboards full of materials: tools, games, magnifying glasses, materials for arts and crafts, and lots more besides. There are benches to sit on while reading, listening or using an iPad; there is even a genuine aquarium.

The children’s creations can be displayed on a big presentation wall close to the Youth Workshop.

There is often something to do in the Youth Workshop at weekends. We create programmes in connection with nationwide activities, such as Children’s Book Week and Science Week. But there is still plenty of room for new ideas - all the people of Gouda are warmly invited to come up with suggestions. Especially the children!

Media WorkshopReading is not the only way to learn and absorb new information. Digital media make it possible to creatively link text, images and sound, thereby producing new ways to tell stories and convey information. And it goes without saying that these also form part of our collection. That is why we set up the Media Workshop, a place where people can learn how to make their own multi-media productions. There is also room for professionals who enjoy sharing their knowledge and networks with young people, artists or film makers. The Media Workshop is the place where you can get down to work, either individually or with others.

A green screen, computers and audio recording equipment - everything you need to make professional video and audio recordings is there. You can get straight to work on photo and video processing, animation, audio mixing, composing music or assembling games. If there is an event or special gathering somewhere else in the Chocolate Factory, a video recording of it can be made with direction from the Media Workshop. Of course, the space is also suitable for holding workshops and courses for amateurs and professionals.

Mid-Holland Regional ArchiveThe Mid-Holland Regional Archive could well be described as ‘the memory of the region’, for this is where the archives relating to this part of the


Netherlands are kept. Whether tracing their family tree or researching the history of their house, street or village, everyone is welcome at the regional archive. This is by far the best place to look for historical information and to meet others with whom you can exchange historical knowledge and accounts.

The Mid-Holland Regional Archive manages numerous archives and special collections, such as the records of local authorities, which are in the public domain after 20 years. There are also private archives from schools, churches and associations, and an extensive collection of photos, maps, local newspapers and documents relating to the war.

A special place is held by the Goudse Stadslibrije, a magnificent collection of old books that was first begun in 1594. And of course, everything relating to the history of the Chocolate Factory is gathered here. In addition, the regional archive has its own library with publications about the locality. All in all, together with the informative books of the City Library, this constitutes an impressive reference collection. People wishing to carry out research can do preparatory work on our website. Photographs and some other sources have been made available online in digital format. Descriptions of other archive documents and books are available so that they can be requested. We can arrange for their transport from our new depot and arrange for them to be available at the Chocolate Factory at an agreed time and date.

Many sources, such as local newspapers and old deeds from the civil registry, are immediately available during opening hours. We regularly provide workshops on how to research the history of your family or home.

The Gouda Fine Printing SocietyIn its time, the invention of printing had as big an impact as our modern digital revolution. Typesetters and printers were immensely important. They made it possible to disseminate knowledge, thereby indirectly contributing to the freedom of personal expression and the enhancement of critical thinking in society. Gouda has a rich history as a town of printing. The foundation was laid by the 15th-century printer Gheraert Leeu, who had a major influence on the development of the art of printing. He was the first person to print works in the Dutch language for the public at large: reason enough, in itself, for the printing profession to have a special place in our hearts. More than that, the art of book printing is something of great beauty, something to treasure and preserve for future generations! That is going quite well as far as the material heritage is concerned: presses and book productions have a safe place in museums, libraries and archives. The book printer’s craft, on the other hand, is threatened with extinction. To avoid this, the Gouda Fine Printing Society provides a place for printers and typesetters who are still masters of their craft. Every week, they assemble in the Chocolate Factory to practise their ancient craft and create superb examples of books. The Fine Printing Society has a host


of wonderful items: old printing presses and cabinets full of lead type blocks in classical letter faces. More importantly, however, you can meet craftsmen who are only too happy to pass on their knowledge and skills to a new generation.

Restaurant KruimWhether a library member or not, whether an occasional visitor or a regular user, Restaurant Kruim welcomes everyone with open arms. Kruim is led by a team of enthusiastic professionals. The restaurant derives its name from a Dutch cooking term: ‘kruim’ is the final ingredient you add to make a dish complete.

Kruim is an espresso bar, a lunch room, a food shop, a bar and a restaurant, all in one. It offers a wide assortment and you can use it at any time of day. We will be pleased to serve breakfast, lunch or dinner, but you are equally welcome to come for a delicious cappuccino or a glass of fine wine. You decide where you want to sit - at one of the many tables, at a big, communal table or (in good weather) on the terrace. There is plenty of room! Or somewhere else in the Chocolate Factory; that’s no problem.

The BuildingOur building has an interesting history. For many years, it was home to a chocolate factory. Steenland Chocolate BV, which is still based in Gouda, grew from a manufacturer of traditional Dutch products to become an international exporter. It is now the world’s biggest producer of chocolate coins. You can even find a chocolate coin from Steenland on virtually every hotel pillow in Las Vegas!

Imagine it: thousands of litres of liquid chocolate have flowed through this place when it was a factory, eventually to be distributed all over the world in the form of nicely packaged chocolate figurines and chocolate cigarettes. The production process, the machinery that stood here, the stories of the people who worked here: we wanted to make all of this visible in our own, new Chocolate Factory.

Designer Florian de Visser had a brilliant idea. He explored the archives, spoke with Gerard Steenland, the company’s former director, and then drew a unique floor design in which you can see the layout of the old chocolate factory. He supplemented this with passages from the Jubilee Book that was brought out in 1974 to celebrate the Steenland Company’s 75th anniversary.

When you look down, you can see where the chocolate entered the factory, where the production staff used to stand, and where the chocolate figurines were wrapped in colourful foil. And yes... the Easter Bunny was also given a place.


SymbiosisThe collaboration within the Chocolate Factory represents a huge enrichment for all of us. Our common goal (to invite people to think, learn and acquire knowledge), our joint programming, the absence of walls between the various partners... all these turn the Chocolate Factory into a unique place and an inspiring example to the whole country. Not only for libraries and archives, but also for other cultural institutions that wish to endow their role in society with new significance. And not least for those involved in the re-purposing of buildings, because we have shown with the Chocolate Factory how you can bring the history of such a building back to life in exciting symbiosis with its current use. The building has become a ‘factory’ again, this time with the collection as its raw material, but also including a workshop and a laboratory where new ideas can grow and flourish.

Chocoladefabriek GoudaKlein Amerika 202806 CA GoudaThe Netherlandswww.chocoladefabriekgouda.nl

Opening HoursThe Chocolate Factory is open 7 days a week- You are welcome to eat and drink at Restaurant Kruim from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. - The City Library is open Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on

Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.- The Mid-Holland Regional Archive is open on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 8

p.m. and Wednesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. - The Fine Printing Society has no fixed opening hours. Just walk in and

see whether the printers and typesetters are at work.

Videoyoutube.com/watch?v=LnMPE_p6s7Q

AcknowledgementsThe concept of the Chocolate Factory was developed in co-operation with the Ministry of Imagination.www.ministerievanverbeelding.nl

Text: Ministry of Imagination Ministerie van VerbeeldingDesign: Comma-S ontwerpers ’s-Hertogenbosch, NL

Ground floor

First floor

Restaurant Kruim

Library

Youth Workshop

Library and Mid-Holland Regional Archive

Media Workshop

Fine Printing Society

www.ChocoladefabriekGouda.nl

Documents

Chocolate Factory