The document summarizes plans for a new central library in Helsinki, Finland. It discusses the need for libraries to serve as modern community hubs rather than just repositories for books. The proposed new central library would be 25,000 square meters, with space for library services, events, commercial activities, and potential locations in downtown Helsinki. It aims to attract 1.5 million visitors annually and establish Helsinki as a leader in forward-thinking library design.

1. Intro for Library Camp 17.-18.11.2008 in Helsinki Maija Berndtson Library Director Helsinki City Library

2. Helsinki City Library's mission statement Helsinki City Library provides a basic civic service available to everyone. As a part of the worldwide network of libraries, we offer unrestricted access to sources of culture and information. As part of local community and on an interactive basis we develop the library services needed by our clients in order to be active members of society and enjoy life.

3. Vision 2010 The boundless library – a source of enlightenment and inspiration throughout your life.

4. Library 10 New concept for a library The Library 10 unit was awarded the first prize in the Quality Innovation of the Year competition. In the category for public communities two awards were given out. As one of the reasons for their decision the jury stated that the library has recognised the changes the world has gone through and has met the challenges posed by the change with extremely modern methods, which have yielded excellent results.

5. [email_address] The service includes experts from different fields providing guidance to those seeking information on the use of Internet-based electronic services, mobile services and digital TV. Meetingpoint@lasipalatsi is also a venue where hardware manufacturers and service providers put their services on display. It’s an opportunity to meet customer groups and get direct feedback of their services.

6. [email_address] The service includes experts from different fields providing guidance to those seeking information on the use of Internet-based electronic services, mobile services and digital TV. Meetingpoint@lasipalatsi is also a venue where hardware manufacturers and service providers put their services on display. It’s an opportunity to meet customer groups and get direct feedback of their services.

7. Library network in Helsinki 36 Libraries – all expect Library 10 are ”local libraries” Historically unique and architecturally beautiful library buildings: Rikhardinkatu, Kallio, Töölö, Pasila,Vallila,Arabianranta, Viikki,Vuosaari All library buildings are small: 200 m2 – 3 500 m2 for public spaces

8. Keywords in planning the new central library Innovative – the future is the sum of the creativity in use today Concrete – the project is alive already today, practice and tests (for example Meetingpoint@lasipalatsi, rethinking the brand concept, projects with partners) Communicative – we tell, ask and listen: web, discussions, conferences Participating – we take part and we do it together

9. The functions of third places open for everyone – not a club uniting the neighbourhood – an inclusive place – social equality a “mixer” – assimilation – a leveller – expand the possibilities a “neutral ground” – people may come and go as they want a staging area provide “public characters” – human personality and individuality brings youth and adults together serve elderly as well give the possibility to visit daily – the regulars – a low profile, easy to come - continuity neither personal advantage nor civic duty provide “fun” – but the entertainment is provided by the people themselves – the mood is playful locally situated political and intellectual fora – conversation is the main activity may serve as offices – open off hours not necessarily fine but cosy and comfortable

10. Jyske, the Danish Experience Bank http://www.experientia.com/blog/jyske-the-danish-experiencebank/ “ Jyske Difference” ["Jyske Forskelle"], slogan is “Jyske is the bank that makes a difference.” Jyske Bank is a bank, a store, and a modern library. Jyske Bank is the place where customers become smarter, inspired, and experience a straightforward atmosphere

11. Lessons to be learned There is a need for new kind of urban public space both in city centres and communities in neighbourhoods Libraries are not alone to trying to fill that need – but they are strong because they are the most visited cultural institutions In comparison with others libraries have the benefit to be free and secure, non-profit, non-commercial public spaces, often also aesthetic

12. Lessons to be learned Libraries have to get rid of the image being just “temples of books”, we need space for people not for the collection Actually we have a new program every day or vice versa: you cannot use during one visit all what library has to offer Libraries have to be accepted as third places not as static places where nothing happens

13. What should we do Instead of collection or “taking care of the library” we have to put our customers first – a change in our own attitude We have to ask what our customers expect – but we have also to surprise by offering something they never could expect, we give them “added value of library services”

14. What should we do We have to look at our premises from the point of view of customer from the moment she/he enters to the library – it means we have to create a new concept of the interior The flexibility of the interior has been a mantra already long time – make it to work in reality and add another mantra, namely “void” (it means empty space, the state of nonexistence, nothingness ) Create exiting landscape within the library – silent rooms, group work rooms, studios

15. What should we do Make library living – more programme, discussions, happenings and new trends to the fore in style “new season – new collection” Do not think that you can do everything yourself – search partners and experts in other fields

16. Smart places in smart cities Smart places will collect and spit out information and they will attend, anticipate and respond to our daily needs in a vast variety of new ways. The distinction between building and computer interface will effectively disappear. Electronic intelligence , embedded everywhere, creates the necessary interfaces between producers and consumers, and allows us to rethink the ways that even the most mundane utilities are organized and run. We will characterize cities of the twenty-first-century as systems of interlinked,interacting, silicon- and software- saturated smart, attentive, and responsive places. (Mitchell)

17. Central Library - The Heart of Metropolis, The Heart of Helsinki

18. Long live the library! Mikko Leisti’s review report, appointed by The City of Helsinki Mayor Jussi Pajunen, ”Central Library – The Heart of Helsinki, The Heart of Metropolis” was published 12.3.2008 Based on - 150 Interviews and group discussions with representatives from different branches, fields and areas - Researches and source books - Strategies on national and local level - Study tours in Finland, Stockholm, Sendai, Seattle, Amsterdam and Rotterdam

19. The Heart of Metropolis - review Proposes 25 000 m2 Central Library in Helsinki comprising 12 000 m2 of space for library services, 8000 m2 for variety of events and other programming and 5000 m2 for commersial activities Three potential locations: the Lasipalatsi building, the Post House, the Töölönlahti area A joint, national project between the Finnish state, the City of Helsinki and other cities in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area

20. Three potential locations for the new central library

21. Töölönlahti area in the future

22. Parts of the central library already exists IT- and music library Library 10 Meetingpoint@lasipalatsi; a meeting point with different partners, both from private and public sector Some parts of the main library will move into the new central library Central library is not a new main library

23. Common vision for the Helsinki Metropolitan Area The Helsinki Metropolitan Area is a dynamic world-class centre for business and innovation. Its high-quality services, arts and science, creativity and adaptability promote the prosperity of its citizens and bring benefits to all of Finland. The Metropolitan Area is being developed as a unified region close to nature where it is good to live, learn, work and do business.

24. Importance of Libraries Libraries as an opportunity - Libraries as the cornerstones of our success - Attractive and dynamic Finland - A look into the future - Building skills - Libraries are for everyone

25. The Heart of Metropolis The library of the future A new library concept for a hub of ”knowledge, skills and stories” Content: resources, encounters and communication

26. The new central library, by yardstick Total area 25 000 m2 Libray: 12 000 m2 Meeting point 8 000 m2 - Exhibiton spaces, Suomi-experience, biography, studysauna, sauna, studio, auditorium, cinema, wintergarden, meeting rooms, free speaker’s corner, brainstorm, play room, family space, space for young people Commercial premises: 5 000 m2 -Restaurants, cafés, shops, market, gallery -Visitors 1,5 mil., in other words approximately 4000-5000 daily

27. Place for people – not for magazine The library space is meant for people, not for books/ media Collection approximately 200 000 (the stock stays in Pasila) – Seattle 1 million 1,5 million visitors is being calculated – Library 10 580 000, Rikhardinkatu library 580 000

28. More information Review was published on the web both in English and in Swedish Take a look at www.lib.hel.fi , - - > Organisation - - > Central library, to find some more information about the Central Library!

29. Snöhetta ”Wisdom” "Are librarians and architects too conservative? Should they / we break out of old molds and renew their / our thinking?" Snøhetta Architects, designers of Bibliotheca Alexandrina – and Oslo Opera House

30. The Future… The threat for the future - perfectionism The possibility for the future - boundless (without boarders)

31. The Customer Point of View… Unhappy people watch TV, happy people read/socialize A new study by sociologists at the University of Maryland concludes that unhappy people watch more TV, while people who describe themselves as very happy spend more time reading and socializing. The study appears in the December issue of the journal Social Indicators Research. http://www.scienceblog.com/cms/unhappy-people-watch-tv-happy-people-readsocialize-17794.html The challenge for libraries thus is: how to make people to read/socialize