Pallab Bhattacharyya
(Pallab Bhattacharyya is a former director-general of police, Special Branch and erstwhile Chairman, APSC. Views expressed by him is personal. He can be reached at pallab1959@hotmail.com)
In the month of March 2025, I, along with my erstwhile college friends, had the unique opportunity to visit the Nordic countries and observed with awe how much stress these countries lay on education for human development and happiness. No wonder Finland retained its enviable unique spot in the 2025 World Happiness Report.
Nestled in the heart of Helsinki, the Oodi (meaning ‘ode’ in Finnish) Central Library stands as a testament to Finland’s commitment to knowledge, literacy, and public access to information. Since its inauguration in December 2018, this architectural marvel has revolutionised the concept of modern libraries while reinforcing Finland’s status as one of the world’s most literate nations. Oodi represents far more than just a collection of books—it embodies a progressive vision of public space that nurtures community engagement, technological literacy, and democratic values. With its innovative design, diverse offerings, and profound impact on Finnish society, Oodi provides valuable lessons for library development worldwide, including potential applications for countries like India.
The journey to create Oodi began in 1998, and the vision gained momentum in 2007, culminating in a report titled “Heart of the Metropolis – the Heart of Helsinki”, which established the foundational goals for the project. The Finnish government designated Oodi as the nation’s gift to its citizens after celebrating 100 years of independence, symbolising the country’s enduring commitment to education and knowledge. This timing was deliberate, emphasising the symbolic relationship between literacy, informed citizenship, and national identity.
The 17,250-square-metre library was designed by ALA Architects after winning an international competition that attracted 544 entries. The selection process exemplified Finland’s commitment to democratic principles—all submissions were anonymous, ensuring evaluation based solely on merit. Oodi’s location is deeply symbolic. Situated opposite the Finnish Parliament building on Kansalaistori Square (Citizens’ Square), the library physically represents the relationship between government and citizenry. This positioning reinforces the role of libraries in promoting democracy, active citizenship, and freedom of expression—values explicitly outlined in Finland’s 2017 update of its public libraries act.
The building’s striking exterior features an undulating wooden façade topped with a wave of glazing, creating what some describe as an “inverted boat” appearance. This distinctive silhouette has quickly become one of Helsinki’s most recognisable landmarks. The structure functions as an inhabited bridge, with two massive steel arches spanning over 100 metres to create a column-free public entrance space.
Oodi’s interior is organised across three unique floors, each with distinct functions designed to serve different aspects of community life: The first floor functions as an extension of Citizens’ Square, blurring the boundary between indoor and outdoor public space. This level houses the reception area, cinema, restaurant spaces, and exhibition areas. Designed for active engagement and social interaction, this floor embodies the concept of the library as Helsinki’s “living room”—a non-commercial space where people can gather without pressure to consume. The intermediate level transforms traditional library services by hosting laboratories, recording studios, and spaces dedicated to educational and multimedia activities. Here, visitors can access 3D printers, laser cutters, music equipment, gaming stations, and various other technological tools. This makerspace democratises access to advanced technologies, allowing anyone to develop new skills regardless of socioeconomic status. The top floor, affectionately nicknamed “Book Heaven”, returns to the traditional library function with a contemporary twist. This beautiful reading room features a wavy white ceiling and offers panoramic views of Helsinki through large glass walls and a terrace. While housing most of Oodi’s 100,000-volume collection, this space merges traditional reading with modern comfort, inviting visitors to relax, read, and reflect.
Oodi has had a profound impact on Finland’s already strong reading culture. After its opening, total visits to all Helsinki’s libraries increased by 40%, reaching 9 million in 2019—the first full year of Oodi’s operation. This dramatic rise demonstrates how innovative library design can reinvigorate public interest in these institutions. Despite having a relatively modest collection of 100,000 physical books (about one-third of the building’s function), the library connects users to nearly 3.4 million items through the HelMet online library system. This innovative approach emphasises access over ownership, reflecting how modern libraries can maintain relevance in the digital age.
Perhaps Oodi’s most revolutionary aspect was its development process, which embodied democratic participation. From conception through completion, Finnish citizens were actively involved in shaping their library.
Oodi embraces technology not as an end but as a means to better serve its community. The library utilises automated guided vehicles (AGVs) for book sorting and transportation, allowing staff to focus on assisting visitors rather than managing materials. This automation helps manage the flow of books within the Helsinki library system, which encompasses 38 branches.
The library’s diverse collection includes materials in nearly 20 languages, reflecting Finland’s commitment to inclusivity. Special collections include the “Rainbow Shelf”, featuring literature and films related to sexual and gender minorities, as well as extensive offerings of sheet music, comics, console games, and board games. Its technological features extend beyond books to include immersive experiences like virtual reality zones, digital newspaper tablets providing access to thousands of publications worldwide, and recording studios for music creation. These resources democratise access to technology that might otherwise be available only to privileged segments of society.
Oodi offers a template for how libraries can transcend traditional boundaries to become centres of community development and technological empowerment. With India’s digital divide and uneven access to educational resources, the Oodi model suggests possibilities for libraries that simultaneously preserve cultural heritage while providing pathways to digital literacy. For Assam specifically, which is rich in cultural and linguistic diversity, Oodi’s multilingual approach and emphasis on preserving cultural heritage while embracing modernisation resonate particularly well. Assam’s libraries could adopt aspects of Oodi’s model to become centres that both preserve indigenous knowledge and enable communities to engage with emerging technologies.
The participatory design process that shaped Oodi also offers valuable insights for Indian library development. Involving communities in planning libraries could help ensure these institutions address specific local needs and gain stronger public support. Similarly, Oodi’s focus on being a non-commercial public space is especially relevant in regions where commercial spaces often exclude economically disadvantaged populations.
India’s National Mission on Libraries aims to modernise and digitally connect libraries across the country. The Oodi example demonstrates how modern libraries can successfully integrate traditional collections with digital innovation while remaining centred on community needs. In states like Assam, where geographical challenges can limit access to resources, a hub-and-spoke model similar to Helsinki’s library system could extend access to knowledge throughout rural areas.
The library has received international recognition, winning the Public Library of the Year award from the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions in 2019. We can conclude by citing the eloquence of the mayor of Helsinki: “Library services are an investment in people. By developing our people we are preparing our society for the coming era, where knowledge, ideas and culture are the commodities that a successful city will trade with the world. The principle that knowledge is for everybody is a long-established component of the success of Finnish society and an essential foundation of a city built on trust between government and citizens.”