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Oodi, Helsinki’s new flagship library

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21–30 of 67 posts

Re: Oodi, Helsinki’s new flagship library

#21
post #19
post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I really don't find it hideous. This definitely looks like the kind of building I'd like to check out.

Honestly it looks like a shopping mall. Shame considering the budget and Finlands rich history of architecture/design.

I hope there would be more shopping mall architecture like this:

https://www.oodihelsinki.fi/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Oodi_...

Re: Oodi, Helsinki’s new flagship library

#22

I don’t think it’s accurate to call Oodi a library. It’s more of a communal space for citizens and a sort of a playground/hangout for kids. With some books. Maybe I’m a cranky old man but I don’t really enjoy these kind of open spaces. It’s noisy, too relaxed and not geared towards actual studying and working. Libraries in Finland no longer have any expectations for peace and quiet.

Noisy? Have you been to the place? Yes, there are spaces inside where talking is allowed and encouraged, but there are many separate study halls where it's dead quiet and you can even book your own sound-proofed room if you want total isolation.

Re: Oodi, Helsinki’s new flagship library

#23

I didn't really like the place. It places a _huge_ premium on design vs functionality in some sections. I mean, sure, it looks cool, but the cost is away from something this time instead of mutually existing.

I'm interested to hear what you think the functional shortcomings of the space are. Also, you are making a false dichotomy of function and design. Functionality is an essential part of design.

Re: Oodi, Helsinki’s new flagship library

#26

I don’t think it’s accurate to call Oodi a library. It’s more of a communal space for citizens and a sort of a playground/hangout for kids. With some books. Maybe I’m a cranky old man but I don’t really enjoy these kind of open spaces. It’s noisy, too relaxed and not geared towards actual studying and working. Libraries in Finland no longer have any expectations for peace and quiet.

Luckily are public libraries not run on gut feelings and personal semantics. The purpose of libraries in Finland is defined by the Library Act, which states that public libraries should provide[0]:

1) equal opportunities for everyone to access education and culture;

2) availability and use of information;

3) reading culture and versatile literacy skills;

4) opportunities for lifelong learning and competence development;

5) active citizenship, democracy and freedom of expression.

You might like a quite place to read, but if society pays it should get more than sleepy reading halls. I find that the fetishising of books and silent library spaces is a nostalgic fantasy championed by people that rarely actually use libraries, while they are unaware that libraries are the most used cultural institutions in many countries. There is not a single good reason to limit libraries to disseminate the printed book as the only document. Other than elitism.

[0] https://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/2016/en20161492.pdf

Re: Oodi, Helsinki’s new flagship library

#28

I don’t think it’s accurate to call Oodi a library. It’s more of a communal space for citizens and a sort of a playground/hangout for kids. With some books. Maybe I’m a cranky old man but I don’t really enjoy these kind of open spaces. It’s noisy, too relaxed and not geared towards actual studying and working. Libraries in Finland no longer have any expectations for peace and quiet.

For example, in the 3rd floor the magazines section is right next to children's play area. Potentially noisy location.

https://www.oodihelsinki.fi/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Oodi_...

Re: Oodi, Helsinki’s new flagship library

#30
post #26

I don’t think it’s accurate to call Oodi a library. It’s more of a communal space for citizens and a sort of a playground/hangout for kids. With some books. Maybe I’m a cranky old man but I don’t really enjoy these kind of open spaces. It’s noisy, too relaxed and not geared towards actual studying and working. Libraries in Finland no longer have any expectations for peace and quiet.

Luckily are public libraries not run on gut feelings and personal semantics. The purpose of libraries in Finland is defined by the Library Act, which states that public libraries should provide[0]: 1) equal opportunities for everyone to access education and culture; 2) availability and use of information; 3) reading culture and versatile literacy skills; 4) opportunities for lifelong learning and competence developme…

Since when was studying a 'nostalgic fantasy'?

In the UK, libraries are something like social centres: unemployed people go there to read; retired people read the daily papers; people without the internet at home come to use the computers; children come after school until their parents finish work.

It's important that there are public spaces like that. It's a lifeline for some people.

But most public libraries in the UK are, for those exact reasons, very poor places to study.

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