Short description: This picture is of the central staircase in the Helsinki Central Library Oodi. The words depicted translate to various population groups, which signifies that everyone is welcome in the space.
The impact: While researching interesting activities and places to visit in Helsinki, the Helsinki Central Library Oodi was at the top of my list. I had the opportunity to visit the location twice; once on the first day briefly during a group tour of the city, and second on the final day of the trip. This was our day to explore independently, so I chose to spend my time at the library reading for pleasure and discovering the different resources offered to the public. The library has recording studios, sewing machines, video game consoles, a playground, and much more. I was initially drawn to Oodi because I’m a huge bookworm, but while visiting I realized what the building signified about Finnish culture. As I mentioned in the picture’s description, the central staircase has phrases on it that represent different groups of people, and the words end in the suffix –lle, meaning “for” or “to.” These designations include abstract concepts, such as daydreamers or heroes, but also certain ethnic groups like Jews and Muslims. Coming from a town with a library that is not in good condition, I was struck by the staircase’s symbolism that every person deserves access to knowledge and information. The government’s dedication to ensuring that public goods and infrastructure are accessible to all citizens is a pillar of Finnish culture that stood out to me as being different from America. Citizens are taught from a young age that they have a right to the community’s resources and that there is a place for them as intellectuals in society. This cultural messaging was evident in the library’s dedication to making the space enjoyable for children through games and playgrounds, as it teaches them from to have a positive association with learning.
