Like many people, I hadn’t stepped inside a library for years until I had a child. We don’t Wriggle & Rhyme no more but my love affair with libraries has, ironically, been rekindled.
Photo credit: Petteri Kantokari
Of the five Helsinki libraries I’ve been to, Rikhardinkatu is my favourite. Opened in 1882 it was gifted to the city by Anniskeluyhtiö, a company licensed to serve alcohol.
Designed by architect Carl Theodor Höijer, it was the first building in the Nordic countries to be built as a library. It is spread over four floors and has lots of great different places to sit and read.
I popped in early yesterday to do some printing and had a great time taking photos before the library filled with different discussion groups and people making use of the study areas.
There’s a big room full of children’s books in different languages and the top floor is home to the library’s British collection.
Although quite large, the smaller spaces on each floor create a cosy feeling and there’s one to suit every mood.
The library is also unique in that it has a large collection of art work, built up over 20 years, from which you can borrow.
As I walked out of the library I had a smile on my face thinking of all the lovely design features and how someone takes good care of all the plants. I got about three blocks before I realised I had left 17 pages of paper sitting on the library printer.
Hey Helsinki 
Those are some luscious libraries…
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I know! A new public library is being built in Helsinki next year and will include, of course, a public sauna.
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A public sauna? Won’t the steam ruin the pages of the books?
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Ha! You’re not meant to do anything in sauna that you wouldn’t do in church Jacob. Including reading books wrapped in clear plastic…
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Oh, I wouldn’t know the first thing to do in church. I’m Jewish.
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😊 Well I understand Jewish celebrations can be quite lively so you’d have to channel your inner Tibetan monk (if you have one) & sit nice and quiet. In the nude. With strangers. At the library. Easy!
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Going to church nude would be quite the adventure, I guess. Hahaha. This conversation is fun. I guess I just don’t associate libraries with saunas, being American. Although where I currently live, that might be a good idea considering tomorrow will be a high of 1F, or negative something C.
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Central library 2017:
http://keskustakirjasto.fi/en/
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Oh love that staircase. There will be a new library coming with sauna 😀
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Helsinginyliopisto Kirjasto is great too! I’m looking forward to the new one ☺️
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