Libraries to Visit

The conference programme for Wednesday 29th October includes visits to several different libraries. Below you will find more information about the libraries.

Oodi / Ode

Helsinki Central library Oodi is an urban public space open for everybody. Built in 2018, Oodi is a multifunctional building with facilities such as group rooms, studios, game rooms, a cinema and even a kitchen! At the urban workshop on the second floor, one can use a range of professional tools such as laser cutters, sewing machines and 3D printers. On the third floor, you find Oodi’s Book Heaven with 100,000 books, 7 reading oases and The Citizens’ Balcony. Oodi is also a popular venue for events including lectures, film festivals, workshops and conferences. 

The library is located in the heart of Helsinki, close to Helsinki Music Centre, Finlandia Hall and the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma. Opposite of the library you find the Parliament Building. With its over 10 000 square meters, Oodi is the biggest library in Finland. Oodi has won multiple awards, including the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions’ (IFLA) Public Library of the Year award in 2019. The Library has an average of 10 000 visitors per day.

Kansalliskirjasto / Nationalbiblioteket / National Library of Finland

The National Library of Finland is a cultural heritage organisation that is open to all and provides nationwide services to citizens, scientific communities and other societal operators. The Library secures the availability of cultural heritage published in Finland or relating to Finland as well as transmit and produce information content for research, studies, citizens and the society.

Vuosaaren Kirjasto / Nordsjö bibliotek / Vuosaari Library

Vuosaari Library is located in a suburb in eastern Helsinki. During the summer of 2025, the library underwent a renovation with the aim of bringing the library to the 2030’s and refreshing the library spaces overall in connection with the library’s floor refurbishment.

In eastern Helsinki, the proportion of residents with a multicultural background is higher than the city average and the variety of languages is broad.