When Andy Johansen first visited Helsinki’s Oodi Library in early 2020 he was struck with amazement by the elegant three-story mass of wood, steel and glass, and the labyrinth of wonders within it. “I ...

I initially went Helsinki’s Oodi Library on a whim. My friend’s son needed another Harry Potter book. And because I find visiting a location in any city I don’t live in inherently interesting, I ...

Oodi is a public library in Helsinki's Kansaristori Square. It is one of 37 municipal libraries in Helsinki, and functions as a group of cultural halls in Helsinki along with Helsinki Music Centre, ...

‘I think it’s quite unique to build a library in a city today,’ says Jan Vapaavuori, mayor of Helsinki. The city has just opened Oodi, a new central library designed by Finnish architecture firm ALA ...

Imagine having two dresses to iron and some family photos to print. For many, it will seem odd to choose a public library to do both for free. But in Helsinki, Finland’s capital, it’s a reality. The ...

A land of 100,000 lakes? More aptly and accurately, Finland is a nation of 100 percent literacy, a land of libraries. The country celebrated its 101st year of independence on December 6 by dedicating ...

and understand what a central city library could be like. Instead of closing our libraries, especially our downtown library, turn them into spaces for culture and creation. Oodi has rooms for events ...

Helsinki's Central Library Oodi is marking its fifth anniversary with an event on Tuesday, 5 December. Over the half decade since it opened its doors, the large, wavelike structure became the city's ...

At a time when the book reading culture is declining across the world, how does one country keep it alive and thriving? The success story of Helsinki Central Library Oodi in Finland since it opened ...

While Brits watch their libraries disappear, Helsinki’s radical new library combines reading, skills and recreation. By Augusta Riddy This is book heaven,” says Katri Vänttinen, beaming. As the City ...