Helsinki Central Library Oodi (Oodi, 2019)
International libraries, like international travel, have always fascinated me. My interest in exploring libraries around the world comes from the same reason why I travel: to see how other cultures live. Traveling internationally is similar to reading a book; you get to take in new perspectives, environments, and ideas you may not have been familiar with before opening that book or getting on that plane. I advocate for traveling for the same reason I advocate for reading books: you may learn something new.
That is why I explored the International Libraries section of our module and landed on an article in which I learned about a place where the residents are among the most literate people in the world: Finland. As someone who is passionate about literacy in all its forms, I was mesmerized by the information in the article Helsinki Invests In Its People With A Library That Reinvents the Genre. The caption— “Oodi is the place to go if you want to read a book, meet up with your friends, borrow a cello, or cut metal with lasers”— was no understatement (Cord, 2018, para. 1).
Libraries around the world could learn so much from Helsinki Central Library Oodi. Like many domestic libraries, Oodi is a place for reading, learning, and discussion. However, the range of services provided at Oodi is what sets it apart. Each floor provides an array of services that, in a perfect world, most libraries would offer. The first floor holds a restaurant, café, and movie theater where connection and socialization can take place.
Restaurant Food & Co at Oodi (Mindtrip, n.d.)
Kino Regina at Helsinki Central Library Oodi (Oodi, 2025)
The second floor is centered around creativity with makerspaces, studios, and music rooms (Cord, 2018).
3D printers at Oodi’s Urban Workshop (Oodi, n.d.)
A3 scanner at Oodi’s Urban Workshop (Oodi, n.d.)
Laser cutter at Oodi in Varaamo (Oodi, n.d.)
Media workstations at Oodi in Varaamo (Oodi, n.d.)
Sewing machines at Oodi in Varaamo (Oodi, n.d.)
Music Studio at Helsinki Central Library Oodi (squirrel-bear, 2023)
Oodi even has a room called “The Cube” that houses smart walls where artists can create immersive digital art exhibitions or medical students can perform mock surgeries (Cord, 2018).
“The Cube” at Helsinki Central Library Oodi (Panasonic Business, n.d.)
The third floor is what most people would view as a traditional library with access to approximately 100,000 books (Cord, 2018).
Helsinki Central Library Oodi (Thorpe, 2022) Note. Photograph by Tuomas Uusheimo
Although all these services are amazing, budget restrictions are the biggest hurdle to offering them at most libraries. However, this does not mean that there is nothing to learn from Oodi. First, we have to acknowledge the culture that has made this library so successful. Finnish people are avid users of library services because of the value they place on literacy. This is shown through the employment of reading coaches at Oodi who are available to help people develop their reading skills (Cord, 2018).
Here in San Antonio, Texas, only 48% of students in grades 3-8 are reading at grade level. That is 6% below the statewide average of 54% (City Education Partners, 2025). Providing access to reading coaches would not only increase activity at the library, but also give children whose families lack the financial resources to hire a tutor additional support with reading.
Equipment such as smart walls, digital technology, 3D printers, and makerspaces costs money. However, creativity is free. Libraries that do not have those funds can still host movie nights, establish dynamic makerspaces using donated or cost-effective materials, and create events that support social interaction.
Viewing libraries from a global perspective gives you a chance to discover innovative ideas that you may never encounter if you didn’t think to look outside your own library’s county, let alone the country. Staying aware of what libraries are doing internationally gives you the opportunity to discover different ways to serve your patrons and community. By implementing small changes each year that support the advancement of your community, you can help your library become your community’s Oodi Library.
References:
City Education Partners. (2025). 2025 STAAR data report. https://cityeducationpartners.org/2025-staar-report/
Cord, D. J. (2018, December). Helsinki invests in its people with a library that reinvents the genre. This is Finland. https://finland.fi/life-society/helsinki-invests-in-its-people-with-a-library-that-reinvents-the-genre/?fbclid=IwAR02YiMMaUOXanedOfFbDrzhou_4s1_oHQInvzYDk3bPJeu9Vx3D_ItX5Zs
Mindtrip. (n.d.). Restaurant Food & Co—Oodi. https://mindtrip.ai/attraction/helsinki-finland/restaurant-food-co-oodi/at-1EdsvTbc
Oodi. (2019, August 27). Helsinki Central Library Oodi chosen as the best new public library in the world. https://oodihelsinki.fi/en/helsinki-central-library-oodi-chosen-as-the-best-new-public-library-in-the-world/
Oodi. (n.d.). Urban workshop. https://oodihelsinki.fi/en/services/urban-workshop/
Oodi. (2025, May 12). Kino Regina, Oodi’s movie theatre. https://oodihelsinki.fi/en/kino-regina-oodis-movie-theatre/
Panasonic Business. (n.d.). Public library of the year demands reliability from cameras and projectors [Case study]. https://eu.connect.panasonic.com/sites/default/files/media/document/2022-10/297397.pdf
Squirrel-bear. (2023, January 25). I just found out Helsinki City Library Oodi has a studio with Moog One 8, OB6, Nord Stage 3 and modular synth [Online forum post]. Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/synthesizers/comments/10kyn4f/i_just_found_out_helsinki_city_library_oodi_has_a/
Thorpe, H. (2022, October 7). Helsinki opens a light-filled library as a national monument to education, sharing and books. Wallpaper*. https://www.wallpaper.com/architecture/oodi-public-library-helsinki-ala-architects-finland