Post #3381820

2026-06-20 16:01 UTC

@paavi@mastodontti.fi @scottjenson@social.coop Oodi is actually the Helsinki main library. One in Pasila used to be main library for long time. Don't ask what being main library actually means. Though while it's the flashiest library in the region, it's part of Helmet network and one of the 75 libraries within four capital region cities Those libraries in total have large number of different services. I think movie theater, restaurant and cafes are unique to Oodi, but other services are out there elsewhere in the network in some form.

Replies (1)

@utriaine@mementomori.social 2026-06-20 16:38

@anzah@raphus.social @paavi@mastodontti.fi @scottjenson@social.coop you simply are incorrect about the main library. Pasila still is the main library in Helsinki, even if Oodi is a physically bigger building and a flashier library. It plainly says so also on the Helmet website: https://helmet.finna.fi/OrganisationInfo/Home#84924 What does it mean if something is called the main library? It means a bunch of administrative stuff. Beyond the library services available for customers in Pasila they also have all the cataloguing and handling of new library materials, the logistics center for Helsinki libraries, the Helmet book depository, home base of the two mobile libraries Helsinki has, the national level library services Helsinki has responsibility for (for example the Multilingual Library), and probably a bunch of other centralized services I don't know/remember as someone who works in library but not in Helsinki.

Open ##3381821