Libraries aren’t what they used to be. At least they aren’t as I remembered them being, which is fantastic, because I wouldn’t be pursuing a career in librarianship otherwise. No longer do you see an old lady in a cardigan sweater looking over her reading glasses shushing everyone.
They say libraries only have books…
But this is no longer true.
In Module 4, Participatory Service & Transparency, I stumbled upon the Oodi Library tour video and I was immediately enamored with what is possibly the world’s best library.
According to the author of Helsinki Built a Library That Brings a Whole City Together, the library’s success is the result of more than two decades of participatory planning and consultation that put the public at the center of the discussion, creating a library not designed for them, but with them (Yeung, 2022).
The Hyperlinked Library Model stands out to me because it satisfies the needs of the people. It is built on human connections. The Core Pillars of the model , as outlined in the framework, include the 4 Cs: Connect, Collaborate, Create, and Care, putting human interaction in the forefront. My initial reaction to this model is that it simply makes sense. I see what this model looks like in the public library, but I work in a public school library which is a very different setting. When looking at my middle school library, I asked myself if I am implementing the Core Pillars. And if not, what would I need to change?
According to Stephens, “Presenting the model to assembled teacher librarians at the Australian School Library Association conference in Perth in 2009, I argued that school librarians could use the model as well to extend support for learning beyond the walls of the school library and engage with students, teachers and administrators in an open, transparent manner wherever the learning takes place (Stephens, 2011).” So I asked myself, can school libraries be hyperlinked? And, if so, in what ways?
One area where we have brought in activities and services is through our new Maker Space and Technology Lab. LAUSD has been a leader in supplying technology learning experiences. As the school’s technology coach, I invested a significant number of hours in educational tech training, working with a committee to create an eSports and Computer Science club. I cleaned out a room adjacent to our library and have received a gracious amount of materials to create a Technology Lab. I think of it as an annex to the library. Create: Users get access to modern tools and tech to make and share their own content.
We are supporting girls by creating a club called Girls Who Code.
Collaborate: People meet in physical and digital spaces to work on projects together.
A couple of years ago, a Los Angeles Public Librarian reached out to collaborate with our school. Unfortunately, It was my second year and I was not ready to add this to my plate. Last year, I made that commitment to connect with our local teen librarians. It has been a huge success and this is only the start of a bright future for the library.
Care: Transparent, playful service builds a deep emotional bond between the library and its community.
An area of growth for me is to work on the Pillar Connect: Users and staff link freely to share knowledge and needs. Having said that, the evolution of the library, in general, is fascinating. I look forward to creating a space for our students, staff, and community that satisfies their needs.
References
Best in hel app on instagram: “Free activities you can do at Oodi Library in Helsinki 📚.” (2026). Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/DVHAk39DQoY/
Kempe, Y. (2023, November 17). Not your mother’s library: How book-borrowing institutions are evolving. Smart Cities Dive. https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/city-public-libraries-changing-services-education/700069/
Stephens, M. (2007). Web 2.0, library 2.0, and the hyperlinked library. Serials Review, 33(4), 253–256. https://doi.org/10.1080/00987913.2007.10765134
Stephens, M. T. (2016). The heart of librarianship : Attentive, positive, and purposeful change. Ala Editions, An Imprint Of The American Library Association.
Student union rec library on instagram: ““They say libraries only have books…” who told you that 😭 📚🎧🎲💿🎨✨ #LibraryLife #BookandMore #MSA #monashstudentassociation #SURLY.” (2026). Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DdIzH9nSR2z/
TheRuudy. (2022, December 13). Is this the world’s best library? 🇫🇮 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvyXjAI5_VI
Yeung, P. (2022, December). Helsinki built a library that brings a whole city together. Reasons to Be Cheerful. https://reasonstobecheerful.world/oodi-library-helsinki-future/