If you ever find yourself needing to pass some time while waiting for a flight at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), pop into the library and learn a little about Dutch history and culture. Founded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science, the library is an oasis of calm inside one of the world's busiest airports.

The library is located past passport control between Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 and is open 24/7. This part of the airport is for non-Schengen flights, where some passengers often have long layovers.

The Schiphol library is an oasis of calm

First opened in 2010, the library features oversized sofas and armchairs and has a collection of over 1,200 books in 12 languages. All the books in the library are either written by Dutch authors or are about subjects relating to the country's history and culture.

Because many of the passengers in this part of the airport never enter the Netherlands, it is an opportunity for them to learn a little bit about the place they are passing through. The idea to create a library at the airport was born by Dick van Tol, a coordinator at the non-profit ProBiblio, a supporter of Dutch public libraries.

Mr van Tol said that ProBiblio's offices are located very close to the airport, which means the staff witness planes taking off and landing all day long. ProBiblio first pitched the idea for a library at the airport in 2006. With an initial budget of €250,000 and the help of Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum, they started work on the library in 2008.

The collection of books is meant to be read on-site and left on the shelves for others. There are also two boxes where travelers can leave books they own that they have read for others to take and read. Overseen by retired professionals from the Dutch library system, the Schiphol library also features the following:

• Over 500 books by Dutch authors that have been translated into other languages
• Several iPads and touch screens that tell stories through the use of images
• Art and history books about the city of Amsterdam
• A selection of the best Dutch cinema and music
• Varying exhibitions throughout the year, mostly about Dutch culture

Meditation center & playground

Terminal 2 also has a Peace and Refection Meditation Center, a non-denominational and interfaith space where people can pray, meditate, or just relax in silence.

If you are traveling with children, grab a bite to eat from one of the many food and drink establishments in the food court and let the kids burn off some energy in the kid's playground. Besides oversized stuffed animals, the playground also features a massive climbing frame built in the shape of a plane.

Plane spotting

If you are traveling through Schiphol Airport and the weather is nice, why not do some plane spotting in the Panorama Terrace. Located on the second floor in Terminal 1, the Panorama Terrace is about as close as you can get to all the action. Also on the Terrace is a retired KLM Fokker 100 that you can explore while gaining a glimpse into the Netherlands national flag carrier's past.

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  Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  AMS/EHAM

  Country:

  Netherlands

  CEO:

  Ruud Sondag

  Passenger Count :

  20,887,144 (2020)

  Runways :

  18R/36L 'Polderbaan' - 3,800m (12,467ft) | 06/24 'Kaagbaan' - 3,500m (11,483ft) | 09/27 'Buitenveldertbaan' - 3,453m (11,329ft) | 18L/36R 'Aalsmeerbaan' - 3,400m (11,155ft) | 18C/36C 'Zwanenburgbaan' - 3,300m (10,827ft) | 04/22 'Oostbaan' - 2,014m (6,608ft)