This will be my final post concerning the library. My first two posts, about the ongoing and passionate debate over inappropriate books, can be found here and here. I want to wrap up my series by looking to the future, and sharing some words and pictures that I hope will be inspiring.
The images above and below are of the Helsinki Central Library, known as Oodi, located in Helsinki, Finland. The library is an architectural marvel, a breathtaking construction of wood and glass, but I’m more interested in showing you what goes on inside.
To the people of Helsinki, Oodi is not just a library, it is their meeting place and living room.
There is far too much to see there in one day, and too much to show in a single blog post, but for example, there are 3D printers and large plotters for anyone to use…
…and what impressed me the most, a collection of classic guitars that can be taken into private studios and played…
…which is not so surprising, if you know anything about Finland.
What does any of this have to do with Fairhope? Quite a lot, actually. The library that you see in these photos is what it is because its patrons do not attack each other over what are ultimately minor issues. The Finns share a goal and they work together to make it happen.
I have faith that we can and will settle our differences over our library’s content very soon. When we do, I’d like to find a way (without tax dollars) to get a delegation from our library over to Helsinki to see what I saw, and to get them as excited as I am. Oodi does offer tours for library professionals, and I’m sure they could all use a vacation. We could even put them up at the charming Senate Hotel.
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