I’m a sucker for libraries. Especially old, beautiful ones! Something about being surrounded by all those books just… makes me happy.
It doesn’t necessarily have the same effect on my two kids.
For the most part, where I go, they go. But I had no regrets about setting out solo one afternoon so I could visit two of Helsinki’s libraries without any nagging to leave (don’t worry, I’ve already been to Oodi twice!).
First up, The National Library of Finland. It’s the oldest library in the country and has a lot of books (115 km of shelf space, if you were curious). By law, this library receives a copy of every book that’s printed within Finland. (They also have most books written by Finns, about Finns, or in Finnish.) Most of these books are stored underground (Finns love to bury things inside rocks).
It was designed in the 1840s by C. L. Engel. Entry is free, and it’s conveniently located right across the street from Helsinki Cathedral… which was also designed by Engel.
Before heading into the library, you’ll be asked to remove your coat (there are free lockers and lots of places to leave things).
It’s a really beautiful space.
Okay, I have questions: did someone arrange these books this way on purpose?? Does it mean something else in Finnish?
Here’s the perspective from the ground level…
And looking down from the first level.
I do love a good cupola!
This is the view (if you look up) when you walk into the main stacks section Wow, huh?!
This is perhaps the loveliest stacks section I’ve ever seen?
I made myself at home for a while; I’d brought a notebook with me and found a quiet place to do some planning and brainstorming.
After I felt like I’d put everything down on paper that was rattling around in my brain, I headed to another library, one block over.
The University of Helsinki Library has a very different vibe.
Not going to lie, I think there’s an *ahem* anatomical quirk that’s not so subtle!
It’s lovely and open and bright and inviting. MOVING ON.
It looked like a really awesome place to do schoolwork and was filled with students.
Again, I found a place tucked away. This time I pulled out my Kobo and enjoyed finishing a book (Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton), with a great view of Helsinki Cathedral!
At one point I went out on the balcony to admire that great view!
The central staircase was striking. I love minimalist designs like this. I can assure you my university library looked nothing like this!
There was so much light, plenty of comfortable seating, and it looked like a great place to learn and collaborate.
I had to laugh when I came across the community puzzle—Neuschwanstein Castle. Whoever took this picture had a much better view than I did!
While these certainly aren’t must-visit places in Helsinki (especially the university library), they provided a great little solo outing for me.
Your turn.
- Puzzles: yes or no?
- Do you like to visit libraries when you travel?
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Oh, how gorgeous!! And so much light!! Most of the libraries I’ve seen are brutalist monstrosities or soulless boxes- architecture in the 60s and 70s has a lot to answer for. I’d go to libraries while traveling- esp. If they were as pretty as these.
These look so bright and welcoming.
I go through phases with puzzles, but I do enjoy them.
For me it so often comes back to how much light there is… anywhere! Churches. Libraries. Apartments. Give me all the natural light!
The British Library also receives a copy of all books (and magazines and newspapers) published in the UK. I had assumed all countries had a designated deposit library. Do they not?
Answering my own question … about 90% of the world does. Apparently Canada is quirky in that it requires *2* copies of everything.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_deposit
TWO copies. My goodness. Where are we storing it all???
Puzzles: YES YES YES YES YES
Community puzzles: everything I said about regular puzzles x100. We need more community puzzles.
I don’t often go to libraries when I travel, and that’s something that I need to change. Notable exceptions are the libraries in Kelowna and Wolfville.
Another item on my to-do list is to brush up on my architecture terms. I think you’re correct that what I call a dome in my capitol pictures is actually a cupola.
I really love seeing books in their “natural” habitat. There’s also always something so calming to me about visiting a library. I feel very at home 🙂
The national library is breathtaking! It looks like the type of place that makes you feel smarter just by walking through the doors. I love libraries too (although I must confess I have a sweet spot for old, dark, musty-smelling basement libraries).
I have never really gotten into puzzles but maybe I’ll come around to them in some distant future where a puzzle left out on a surface wouldn’t inevitably be destroyed by a helpful toddler??
The musty book smell IMMEDIATELY takes me back to my childhood!
I don’t have little hands that would mess with puzzles but anything beyond maybe 250 pieces feels like too much effort to me!!!
What beautiful libraries! I have been to the library of Congress in DC, which is beautiful and your pictures remind me of it, but you can’t just wander into the stacks, you have to receive permission. When I’m with my SIL, who is a librarian, we visit libraries, and I like it. I think when I travel next I should keep that in mind.
I would love to visit the Library of Congress one day!
It’s a quirky thing to visit in local destinations and, in major cities at least, they’re often stunningly beautiful.
These are both amazing! Yes, DEFINITELY a place to go without the kids. Your solo outing sounds perfect.
Ha, I like the “anatomical quirk!”
I am still kicking myself for not making it to the beautiful one in Vienna (though you had to pay an entry fee so it always felt like I wanted to be a bit more careful for planning it)… and then it never happened.
Wonderful pictures, Elisabeth. I love libraries (especially old ones, although modern buildings can have their charm too!). I wonder about the architects who created these beautiful spaces! I am so glad you got to spend some solo time there to breathe and relax!
Yes, these two libraries were VERY different in terms of vibe and architecture. Both were beautiful in their own way!
Both libraries you visited are beautiful in different ways. I love to visit libraries when I travel. I’ve been to the libraries in Seattle, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles,and Minneapolis. I’d say Minneapolis is my favorite. I went there when audiobooks were just starting to be available in libraries – but not in mine. Minneapolis let me sign up for an out of state card and I could use their audiobook digital downloads for a whole year! (I had to pay a fee, but it was nominal and well worth it.) My least favorite was Los Angeles. It was quite scary!
I would love to make visiting libraries one of my new “go-to” destinations wherever we travel! They’re usually to enter, beautiful, and a quiet escape from hectic crowds.
And more stunning architecture! I will be going through withdrawals when you return to NS.
Puzzles feel like an enormous time waster to me unless I am just visiting with someone and we’re sitting around (and I don’t have my knitting with me.) There is always one in progress out on a table in the common room where my mom lives, and whenever I visit, I mess it up a little each time I walk past (if no one is around, of course.) It scandalizes my sister whenever I engage in this type of immature behavior and always makes me laugh. I tell her that no one will remember, and that it prolongs the fun of the puzzle for them.
I will admit I’m starting to feel sad about leaving all this stimulation, culture, and beautiful scenery behind. That said, Nova Scotia is stunningly beautiful.
I’m not a fan of puzzles, either. I’d rather read a book. Though I appreciate that puzzles make for quiet, communal work.
I love visiting libraries. Liverpool has a gorgeous library, so I dragged the kids there on our recent trip. Also because we used to visit weekly or so when we still lived there. They have a very welcoming kids’ space as well.
I think my kids enjoy visiting… one library per place? That’s about their limit.
One of the things that I appreciate the most is the fact that, for some people, these GORGEOUS libraries are their go-to libraries. I love our town library but it is TINY. I can’t imagine going somewhere like Oodi, here in Finland, to collect my books.
Your time in Scandinavia has made me wonder: Have you read the On the Calculation of Volume books? I’ve read the first three and am hooked.
I haven’t! But now they’re on my TBR list. Thanks!
I love these pics of libraries, and share your love of visiting them in new places! If you ever wind up in Baltimore, MD, USA, check out the George Peabody library – it’s so beautiful and reminded me of your first library stop.
Sign me up!!!!
The sad books are part of the Pauvert full edition of the works by the French author Marquis de Sade (think sadism, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadomasochism). The last few books are not on the shelf and now I imagine someone always borrowing them to enjoy the wordplay.
I heard that men have trouble finding the The University of Helsinki Library *wink
Seriously though they are both visually stunning. I’ve never visited our state library and this is making me tempted to go take a look and see what it’s like