The document summarizes plans for a new central library in Helsinki, Finland. It discusses the need for libraries to serve as modern community hubs rather than just repositories for books. The proposed new central library would be 25,000 square meters, with space for library services, events, commercial activities, and potential locations in downtown Helsinki. It aims to attract 1.5 million visitors annually and establish Helsinki as a leader in forward-thinking library design.

1. Intro for Library Camp 17.-18.11.2008 in Helsinki Maija Berndtson Library Director Helsinki City Library

4. Library 10 New concept for a library The Library 10 unit was awarded the first prize in the Quality Innovation of the Year competition. In the category for public communities two awards were given out. As one of the reasons for their decision the jury stated that the library has recognised the changes the world has gone through and has met the challenges posed by the change with extremely modern methods, which have yielded excellent results.

5. [email_address] The service includes experts from different fields providing guidance to those seeking information on the use of Internet-based electronic services, mobile services and digital TV. Meetingpoint@lasipalatsi is also a venue where hardware manufacturers and service providers put their services on display. It’s an opportunity to meet customer groups and get direct feedback of their services.

6. [email_address] The service includes experts from different fields providing guidance to those seeking information on the use of Internet-based electronic services, mobile services and digital TV. Meetingpoint@lasipalatsi is also a venue where hardware manufacturers and service providers put their services on display. It’s an opportunity to meet customer groups and get direct feedback of their services.

9. The functions of third places open for everyone – not a club uniting the neighbourhood – an inclusive place – social equality a “mixer” – assimilation – a leveller – expand the possibilities a “neutral ground” – people may come and go as they want a staging area provide “public characters” – human personality and individuality brings youth and adults together serve elderly as well give the possibility to visit daily – the regulars – a low profile, easy to come - continuity neither personal advantage nor civic duty provide “fun” – but the entertainment is provided by the people themselves – the mood is playful locally situated political and intellectual fora – conversation is the main activity may serve as offices – open off hours not necessarily fine but cosy and comfortable

10. Jyske, the Danish Experience Bank http://www.experientia.com/blog/jyske-the-danish-experiencebank/ “ Jyske Difference” ["Jyske Forskelle"], slogan is “Jyske is the bank that makes a difference.” Jyske Bank is a bank, a store, and a modern library. Jyske Bank is the place where customers become smarter, inspired, and experience a straightforward atmosphere

11. Lessons to be learned There is a need for new kind of urban public space both in city centres and communities in neighbourhoods Libraries are not alone to trying to fill that need – but they are strong because they are the most visited cultural institutions In comparison with others libraries have the benefit to be free and secure, non-profit, non-commercial public spaces, often also aesthetic

12. Lessons to be learned Libraries have to get rid of the image being just “temples of books”, we need space for people not for the collection Actually we have a new program every day or vice versa: you cannot use during one visit all what library has to offer Libraries have to be accepted as third places not as static places where nothing happens

13. What should we do Instead of collection or “taking care of the library” we have to put our customers first – a change in our own attitude We have to ask what our customers expect – but we have also to surprise by offering something they never could expect, we give them “added value of library services”

14. What should we do We have to look at our premises from the point of view of customer from the moment she/he enters to the library – it means we have to create a new concept of the interior The flexibility of the interior has been a mantra already long time – make it to work in reality and add another mantra, namely “void” (it means empty space, the state of nonexistence, nothingness ) Create exiting landscape within the library – silent rooms, group work rooms, studios

15. What should we do Make library living – more programme, discussions, happenings and new trends to the fore in style “new season – new collection” Do not think that you can do everything yourself – search partners and experts in other fields

16. Smart places in smart cities Smart places will collect and spit out information and they will attend, anticipate and respond to our daily needs in a vast variety of new ways. The distinction between building and computer interface will effectively disappear. Electronic intelligence , embedded everywhere, creates the necessary interfaces between producers and consumers, and allows us to rethink the ways that even the most mundane utilities are organized and run. We will characterize cities of the twenty-first-century as systems of interlinked,interacting, silicon- and software- saturated smart, attentive, and responsive places. (Mitchell)

17. Central Library - The Heart of Metropolis, The Heart of Helsinki

20. Three potential locations for the new central library

21. Töölönlahti area in the future