More Than Just Books

In September, I was on a tour of the Baltic states. We started in Lithuania, drove to Latvia, then Estonia, and ended in Helsinki, Finland. Visiting Oodi, the Helsinki Central Library, was an exceptional experience.

The Helsinki Central Library, Oodi, embodies the idea that a library is much more than a place to borrow books—it is a shared civic living room. Its philosophy is rooted in openness, accessibility, and equality. Oodi was designed as a welcoming space where people from all backgrounds can come together to read, learn, create, and participate in cultural life. The building’s flexible architecture supports this mission: quiet areas for study coexist with lively workshop spaces, children’s play zones, recording studios, meeting rooms, and open seating. Instead of prescribing how people should use the space, the library encourages individuals to define their own ways of learning and interacting, promoting freedom of thought and expression.

The broader intent of the library is to strengthen democratic values and support lifelong learning. In Finland, public libraries are seen as pillars of civic society, ensuring that everyone has free access to information, resources, and opportunities. Oodi extends this tradition into the modern era by offering digital tools, creative technologies, and community-led programming that respond to changing needs. The library encourages people to gather, collaborate, and share knowledge, helping to build a strong sense of belonging and inclusion. In this way, Oodi is both a practical resource and a symbol of Finland’s belief in the social importance of education, culture, and shared public spaces.

Standing inside Oodi, I was reminded of how powerful shared spaces can be when they are built with intention and care. It felt less like a building and more like an invitation—a gentle reminder that learning and community are not luxuries, but essential parts of a thriving society. I left inspired by Finland’s dedication to public life and hopeful about what our own communities can continue to create when we choose to invest in connection, curiosity, and one another.