First Time at Oodi

Article first published in December 2018.

The long-awaited, Helsinki's newest gem Central Library Oodi opened its doors on 5.12.2018 and invited everyone from babies to grandparents to make the building their own. We had been looking forward to this event with the children for a long time, wondering about Oodi's roof windows being installed with a large crane during the summer heat, thinking about what kind of place it would be, and dreaming about everything Oodi would offer. Our first visit happened on a Friday evening, when the worst of the opening day crowds had passed and we were able to wonder at the gleaming new Oodi in peace.

[caption id="attachment_6023" align="aligncenter" width="768"] Oodi also offers excitement.[/caption]

Oodi was undoubtedly breathtaking, something never experienced before, open and shared by all. People seemed genuinely happy in the library on Friday evening. The book sky on the third floor was beautiful in itself, and the second floor has plenty of things to marvel at and many devices and machines that will surely be useful in the future. If you haven't enjoyed spending time in a library before, I recommend visiting Oodi.

It's easy to move around Oodi with children and strollers: the space is accessible and clear and the acoustic environment is pleasant.

The children's and youth section is located at the Töölönlahti end of the third floor and spreads around a large carpet and over many stairs and landings. I must admit I watched with some alarm as a small toddler enthusiastically climbed the stairs, but fortunately there's plenty else to marvel at. Some design quirks that emerged after the opening have been corrected, including improved railings on the loft from a child's perspective. There were dozens of families there playing, reading and simply spending time – super idyllic, exactly what Oodi can be at its best.
In our group's opinion, books weren't the main focus on this first visit to Oodi, but I believe this will become a really nice way to spend time with children. At the same time, I wondered whether all the books were even on the shelves yet, as there was quite a bit of empty space.

[caption id="attachment_6026" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] View from north to south, across Oodi's children's section. Families spending a Friday evening at Oodi.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_6022" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] During Oodi's opening days, children's books were borrowed the most. The children's section checkout machine is also child-sized.[/caption]

Under the children's section loft is an orange, secret story room, which is meant for reading fairy tales and relaxing. An adult enjoyed lounging here, but the child saw the room differently: to a child's eyes, the room is like a giant slide!

[caption id="attachment_6028" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Oodi's secret story room is wonderful. But did whoever designed it realize that to a child's eyes, the place is one big slide...[/caption]

Under the children's section loft are restrooms and childcare facilities, and a stroller parking area next to the section. The third floor also has a small café, which has been rare in Helsinki libraries. A larger café-restaurant can be found on Oodi's first floor. Oodi is accessible and you can move around inside with strollers and prams. There is parking for strollers next to the children's section, but storage space for strollers has also been arranged on the first floor.

The Loru play center also operates in Central Library Oodi. Update to the article: Play center Loru later moved to better facilities and now operates on the third floor of Oodi on the loft at the north end of the Book Sky. There is organized programs on weekdays, otherwise free activities. Loru follows the opening hours of Helsinki's play centers, meaning guided programs are only on weekdays. For more program information, see Oodi's website.

In 2022, a youth room was also opened on the loft of Oodi's first floor.

[caption id="attachment_6021" align="aligncenter" width="768"] Oodi's architecture is interesting and unique, at least in Finland.[/caption]

Little Helsinki especially thanks Oodi for its long opening hours, openness, unprecedented architecture, and of course child-friendliness. Finally, there's a place in the city center where you can stop by with children without worry!

This is our first visit to Oodi. I promise you'll hear more from us!

Oh yes! In the spiral staircase that runs through the entire building is artist Otto Karvonen's artwork Ownership Certificates, where everyone could submit what they would like to own the library for. Can you find the ownership for "the little ones" in the staircase? It's Little Helsinki's greeting to all of you little ones and friends of the little ones!