Inhabiting what was once an empty space across from the Finnish Parliament in downtown Helsinki, the grand, new Oodi Central Library invites those visiting Finland’s capital to come in and browse. Designed by Finnish architecture firm ALA Architects, the building is the result of an anonymous design competition to create a space that would be what’s been described as the nation’s “birthday gift” to the people of Finland during its 101^st anniversary of independence.

Finns love books and public libraries, borrowing around 68 million volumes each year, a literary habit supported by national leaders who regard public libraries as an important investment in human capital. Finland’s Public Library Act instituted a directive for libraries to promote lifelong learning, active citizenship, democracy and freedom of expression.

Oodi New Central Library of Helsinki, Finland © Jekurantodistaja | Dreamstime.com

The site was selected not only for its central access, but also to provide a visceral and visual link between the government building facing it and the connecting square where artistic and cultural institutions, including the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art, Helsingin Sanomat Newspaper and the Musiikktalo Concert Hall, also reside.

Inside the impressive structure with its rippling architecture braced with Finnish spruce timbers, an approximate 100,000 print volumes will be housed at any given time, occupying about one-third of the space. Patrons will also be able to call up about 3.4 million additional books, periodicals and other items via technology, online services and book-sorting robots. Readers will also be treated to an interior decorated with commissioned artworks by Finnish artists Otto Karvonen and Jani Ruscica.