Helsinki Central Library ‘The Ode’ Indoor Tour – with Arto

Discover Helsinki’s Crown Jewel: The Central Library Oodi

Step inside Oodi, Helsinki’s award-winning central library and a striking showcase of Finnish design and innovation. This stunning building with its flowing wooden curves and crisp white roof is more than just a place to borrow books – it’s a community hub where Finnish culture, technology, and creativity converge.

Your Guided Adventure Begins from the Ground Floor

Your 75-minute guided tour begins on the bustling ground floor, where floor-to-ceiling glass walls symbolise Finnish transparency and openness. You’ll discover how this architectural gem earned its name (“Ode” in English) through a public competition and why it was crowned the world’s best public library in 2019. As you explore, your guide Arto – an authorized Helsinki Guide with a personal connection to the city – shares insights into Finnish values and cultural quirks with his characteristic dry humor.

Three Floors, Endless Possibilities

The tour takes you through all three of Oodi’s distinct floors, each with its own personality. Ascend to the book-filled third floor where 100,000 volumes in over 80 languages share space with living trees, art installations, and breathtaking views of the Finnish Parliament. Discover the second floor’s creative paradise filled with recording studios, 3D printers, sewing machines, and instrument libraries – all free for public use.

Along the way, you’ll encounter artistic rugs that tell the stories of Finnish literary and cultural icons, from national author Aleksis Kivi to feminist pioneer Minna Canth and mythology from the Kalevala.

During your tour, you’ll:

• Admire the building’s sustainable Finnish spruce façade and innovative design by ALA Architects
• View the Finnish Parliament from the Citizen’s Balcony, positioned at the exact same level as the parliamentary debate floor to symbolize equality
• Explore the high-tech “Cube” meeting room with smart walls and 3D virtual reality capabilities
• Discover fully-equipped music recording studios and professional-grade equipment available to anyone with a library card
• Learn about Finland’s proud library legacy and why it’s consistently ranked as one of the world’s most literate nations
• Marvel at Ai Weiwei’s Divina Proportione, a mathematical sculpture crafted from rare Chinese rosewood
• See the experimental white dot pattern on the windows, an ingenious Finnish solution for controlling sunlight
• Visit the Urban Workshop area with its free-to-use creative equipment including laser cutters, UV printers, and media workstations

By the end of your tour, you’ll understand why Oodi welcomed 3.1 million visitors in its first year alone, and how it represents Finland’s commitment to literacy, creativity, and equality.

Why Choose Arto’s Tour

Oodi isn’t your average library—it’s a modern Finnish masterpiece, part cultural hub, part community space, and fully Instagram-worthy. With my local insights, fun stories (yes, at least one embarrassing one), and a splash of humor, I’ll show you why Helsinki is proud of this gem. It’s not just about books; it’s about connection. So, grab your comfy shoes and let’s explore—Oodi’s surprises are the kind you’ll want to share back home!