Helsinki has 38 public libraries, numerous scholarly libraries and two mobile libraries (yes!). These safe havens of civilisation offer food for the soul, but some also some amazing features for the architecture and history buffs. Here are some of Helsinki’s most beautiful libraries. Just some. There are plenty more!
Helsinki takes libraries seriously and the love for reading reflects strongly in the city’s everyday culture. The Finns are ranked as some of the most literate people in the world, as well as some of the most prolific users of libraries. There is also a lot of historic significance that libraries hold amongst the Finns. Every library, whether new or old has a personality of its own and holds a significant position in the cultural scene in Helsinki. But some shine over others in the way they were designed.
Oodi – a calling card for Finnish architecture
Oodi, Helsinki Central Library opened in 2018, a day before Finland marked its 101st anniversary as an independent country. Described as the nation’s birthday gift to its citizens, the 17,250 sq m library has been designed by Finnish architecture firm ALA Architects.
To some, Oodi resembles a great wooden ship with glass and steel stuctures. The design is a mixture of traditional and modern – emphasis on the latter. The swooping structure of the energy-efficient library, clad in planks of Finnish spruce timber, seeks to extend the public space of the civic square into the enclosed public space of the library, creating a covered canopy that blurs the boundary between the two and a balcony that allows library visitors to look across the square onto Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art, Musiikkitalo Concert Hall and the national parliament building.
Only one third of the space within the library is used to hold books – otherwise Oodi offers a wide selection of services and a place to just hang out. The library’s clever design divides the building into three distintive levels: an active ground floor, a peaceful upper floor, and an enclosed in-between volume containing more specific functions.
The resulting building is now a lasting monument in the heart of Helsinki that everyone loves and truly uses.
Photo Helsinki Marketing / Tuomas Uusheimo
National Library of Finland – a cultural destination
Next to Senate Square and Helsinki Cathedral you will find one of the most significant buildings in Helsinki that conceals within it a breathtakingly beautiful temple to science.
The main building of the National Library of Finlandis one of most renowned monuments of early-19th century Empire architecture in Finland. It was also one of the most significant public libraries of its time in Europe.
The National Library of Finland is the largest and oldest scholarly library in Finland. It is also one of the University of Helsinki’s greatest independent institutes. It is responsible for the collection, description, preservation and accessibility of Finland’s printed national heritage and the unique collections under its care. These collections include over three million books and periodicals.
The building was designed by Carl Ludvig Engel and completed in 1840. Engel combined in a unique way classical themes with references to the ancient world. The symmetrical placement and the layout of the library halls were derived from the bathhouses of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, while the façades were arranged according to Classical temple architecture.
The National Library of Finland underwent a massive renovation between 2013 and 2015 and reopened to the public in spring 2016. The original doorways and wooden floors in the reading halls were restored to their former glory, and the ceiling murals in the foyers were reconstructed.
The library’s collections comprise three million books and three million other publications, totalling 115 kilometres of shelf space. The library also has an enormous collection of digitalised material.
Photo Jarvis Lawson
History
Helsinki
Photo Marko Oja
Kallio Library – the Art Nouveau gem
The redbrick library building that stands proudly at the end of Porthaninkatu marks the centre of the Kallio district. When it opened in 1912, the number of books borrowed from the Helsinki City Library broke new records. The library’s legendary reading hours also attracted hundreds of local kids and even kept the most unruly ones quiet.
“All of the rooms are very well lit and make an extremely pleasant impression. They are more fun and cosier than the city’s reading hall. Hopefully all the readers in Kallio and Sörnäinen will use this new centre of enlightenment a lot and enjoy it.”
Helsingin Sanomat Newspaper, October 1, 1912
The fourth oldest library building in Finland represents late-Jugend (Art Nouveau) architecture with numerous Classical influences. Architect Karl Hård af Segerstad was inspired by American libraries and designed the layout according to the so-called butterfly model.
Inside the library you can sense the distinct local atmosphere. In addition to books, you can borrow instruments, including a ukulele and kantele, and games, including the classic Finnish game of mölkky. The library also features LGBTQ literature, comics and films on its rainbow shelves. And even dogs are allowed on the first floor!
Helsinki University Library at Kaisa-talo – beautiful and functional
The main library of the University of Helsinki is also the biggest scholarly library in Finland. The Kaisa-talo building opened in 2012 and represents the latest library architecture, making it a popular attraction among fans of both libraries and architecture.
The library has won broad acclaim internationally. The idea behind the design was to combine pure beauty and attractiveness with functionality. The result is a building that blends in with its environment and utilises natural light in a stunning way. The library was designed by Anttinen Oiva Architects, who won the architecture competition in 2008.
The seven above-ground floors of the library are connected by a massive curved void that can be admired from the entrance on Fabianinkatu. Stroll through the library to the seventh floor, where you will find a large living room-type space with amazing views to the historic Empire centre. The interior of the library features classic Finnish designs by Ilmari Tapiovaara and Yrjö Kukkapuro.
Inside the library you can admire the building and the surrounding city, check out the books, watch the students and do your own work. There are around a thousand workspaces in the open reading areas, quiet reading rooms, group workspaces and rest areas. You will also find a café on the second floor by the Vuorikatu entrance.
& sprirals
Glass
Photo Yiping Feng and Ling Ouyang
Töölö Library – clever and playful
Töölö Library was designed by architect Aarne Ervi, who worked with Alvar Aalto and Toivo Paatela before opening his own studio in 1938. When the library opened in 1970, it featured the first music section in Helsinki.
The busy library soon needed more shelf space, and over the years some of the architectonic details were overshadowed or not utilised at all. The library underwent a major renovation from 2014 to 2016, when the original solutions were restored – including the ear-shaped benches in the music section. You can find other anatomical features as well: if you look up while climbing the stairs, you will see an eye staring down at you.
According to the wishes of its users, the library was transformed into more of a social space for meeting friends and hanging out. Nevertheless, it still houses the biggest quiet study hall among all of the public libraries in Helsinki. The library and adjacent Topelius Park were also reconnected during the renovation by reopening the terraces and long balconies.
“Clever modernist architecture with lots of light and playful details in a green park setting – what more could you ask for in a library. How about a dog that you can read aloud to? Yes, you can even borrow one of those!”
Photo Tarja Kaltiomaa
Rikhardinkatu Library – The Art Library
Rikhardinkatu Library near the Esplanade park in central Helsinki was the city’s main public libray until 1986. It was designed by architect Theodor Höijer in 1881. The building was the first to be designed as a public library in the Nordic Countries. Today Rikhardinkatu Library houses not only books but works of art. The library of Helsinki has been acquiring a collection of artists’ books since 2000. Currently there are almost 500 pieces in the collection. There are changing exhibitions on all three floors of the library and an artotheque at the library which displays works of art by the members of the Helsinki Artists’ Association. There are also literature and music events organized regularly. During the summer, the courtyard of Rikhardinkatu Library turns into a colourful venue for events and hanging out.
The City of Helsinki’s libraries offer a massive selection of readable, watchable and listenable materials. They also offer free WiFi, computers, and various information and printing services. Many public libraries offer a selection of daily newspapers, also in English. In addition to books, you can borrow tennis racquets, skates, skis and heart rate monitors, as well as headphones and instruments. Visitors can also obtain a temporary library card by presenting your personal ID and giving your address.
