Oodi Central Library

Oodi opened in 2018 as Helsinki's central library and immediately became a symbol of what Finland thinks a public space should be: a free, welcoming timber-and-glass building where the top floor of light and books sits above workshops, recording studios, 3D printers and a cafe. It was named the best new public library in the world.

Background

ALA Architects won the design competition in 2012 against 543 other competitors, with structural design by Ramboll Finland. The name, Oodi in Finnish and Ode in Swedish, was announced on 31 December 2016 after some 1,600 suggestions from the public. The library opened on 5 December 2018, the eve of Finnish Independence Day. Despite its name it is not the main library of the city system, which sits in Pasila; central refers to its location. Robots carry returned books up to the automated shelving on the third floor, where the Book Heaven holds around 100,000 books. In 2025 it counted more than 2.7 million visits and hosted around 1,200 free public events.

Source: Wikipedia, "Helsinki Central Library Oodi"

What to look for

• The book heaven top floor - the wave-ceilinged light-filled reading floor with a terrace.
• The maker spaces - free studios, sewing machines, 3D printers and workshops.
• The public living room - open lounging and working space for anyone.
• The architecture - the curving timber facade facing the parliament.

When to go

Year-round; a warm, free indoor space ideal any day and especially welcome in the cold and dark. Quieter early in the day than after work and school.

Good to know

It is a working public library and community space, so it is busy and lively rather than hushed and grand. There is little to see in a traditional sense; the point is to sit, use it and feel how it works. A short, uplifting stop rather than a big attraction.

Nearby

The parliament, the Kiasma modern art museum and Helsinki central station are all across the square.

Key facts