An Ode to Participation – Citizen Involvement in Helsinki Central Library Oodi

2. An Ode to Participation
– Citizen Involvement
in Helsinki Central
Library Oodi
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3. A Dream
• a library in the heart of the city
• a public space that would welcome everyone
• a place for literature and knowledge
• a place for learning
• a place where people could experience
culture
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4. That dream has come true

5. Key ideas for Oodi
• Open, non-commercial, public space
• Skills for a more functional, future society
• Oodi as a platform: experience created by
the residents themselves
• A house of reading
• Partnerships and collaboration – designed
together
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Photo: Tuomas Uusheimo

6. The concept of Oodi has been built piece by piece on
the framework of user-centred design
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7. Our biggest and most influential project was the Tree of Dreams.
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8. Open International Architectural
Competition
• 544 entries received
• We created summaries of the
library dreams

9. Participation by the public during the
competition process
• The top six entries were publicly
displayed in March 2013
• The public could view and
comment on the entries online
• The designs were displayed on
interactive street signs

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13. What does the dream
library look like?
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14. Ground floor is for information, art, cinema and partnerships

15. Platform for experiences

16. Second floor is for hands-on activities, working, creating and learning by doing

17. We embrace new technology

19. In the Bookheaven, you can find our 100,000 items of
books and materials

20. You can just read and relax

21. Principles for a safer library
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• Everybody should feel welcome, regardless
of gender, age, sexuality, race, culture,
looks, etc.
• We do not tolerate any prejudice or
harassment
• Respect for others

22. What does it take from
the staff to be able to
fulfil people’s hopes
and dreams?
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23. • No more hierarchy
• Shared leadership
• Self-managing teams
• Managers are mentors
• Teams make decisions
• People have a right to feel good at work
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New ways of working

24. New skills and expertise
• Each service point needs a slightly
different kind of expertise
• Fearless development
• Partners help
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25. Has it been a success?
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26. Did we ask the right people and the right questions?
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We have over 9,000 visits every single day

28. Oodi is a symbol of democracy
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Photo:Tuomas Uusheimo

29. Oodi is the most diverse place in Helsinki
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30. Oodi has taken the concept of a civic institution into the modern age
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31. Oodi could not be more centrally located
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33. Oodi.
Not just a library.
Your interface to
everything.
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34. Thank you!
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Laura Norris
Service Manager
Children and Youth Services, Content Services
Helsinki Central Library Oodi
laura.norris@hel.fi