Autism-friendly tips
Welcome to Central Library Oodi!
You can find tips on how to enjoy an autism-friendly visit to Oodi on this page.
The tips include information on Oodi facilities and services as well as the special features that make Oodi an exceptional library.
Entrances
Here you can find information on the entrances to Oodi.
There are three entrances to Oodi. They lead to the first (ground) floor.
The first floor is one large and open space. You can access the second and third floor from the first floor either by using the lift or escalator or by taking the spiral stairs.
Further information on Oodi floors
Main entrance
The main entrance to Oodi is located on the edge of Kansalaistori Square. The entrance is located on the west side of Oodi, opposite the Finnish Parliament. The entrance is located below the overhang formed by the Citizens’ Balcony.
Events are held under the overhang and in the square from time to time, meaning that the area may be busy at times.
Southern entrance (Eero Erkon katu)
This is the nearest entrance when arriving at Oodi from the direction of Helsinki Central railway station. The entrance is located at the southern end of Oodi, next to Sanoma House. There’s a small canopy above the entrance.
The southern entrance has a sound beacon. The sound beacon emits a repetitive, loud sound to help visually impaired people in accessing the entrance.
Northern entrance (Töölönlahdenkatu)
This is the nearest entrance when approaching Oodi from the Töölönlahti Bay direction. It is located at the northern end of Oodi. The entrance does not have a canopy. A sign for the Kino Regina cinema is mounted on the wall.
This entrance will also lead you to the Kino Regina lobby. The lobby of the cinema is narrower than the rest of the lobby and has a low ceiling. During events, the space may feel noisy and cramped compared to the rest of the lobby.
General
Here you can find information on customer service and borrowing and returning material as well as picking up reservations.
Oodi is the largest public library in Finland and a public space open to all in central Helsinki.
There is plenty to read and do at Oodi, and you are always welcome to spend time here.
Personnel
Personnel at Oodi are there for the customers. You can always ask them for advice or help. You can identify library personnel by their lanyards and a grey vest or small apron that reads “Kirjasto – Bibliotek – Library“.
Oodi also employs security personnel who walk around the library and monitor it. Security personnel are always present at Oodi during opening hours.
Oodi also has cleaners and maintenance personnel who maintain Oodi facilities and furniture.
Employees of the library’s cooperation partners, such as waiters and Helsinki-info employees, also work at Oodi.
Further information on Oodi partners
Telephone numbers
Customer service 09 3108 5000
Material inquiries 09 3102 2390
Customer service and checkout
You can find library customer service points on each floor. Customer service points are marked with an illuminated sign depicting the lowercase letter i.
You can contact customer service points for advice and help. You can get a library card for yourself or your child at any of the customer service points in the library. Helmet computers for searching for material are available on the third floor.
You can borrow material using either a checkout machine or library customer service point. You can find checkout machines on the first and third floor. Checkout machines are located near customer service points.
Customer service numbers
09 310 85000 (Customer service)
09 310 22390 (Material inquiries)
Returns
Oodi has one self-service returning point. It is located on the first floor, opposite the main entrance. You can use the self-service returning point to return material borrowed from any Helmet library in the Helsinki metropolitan area.
The self-service returning point has three slots. One of the slots is located lower than the others. An illuminated sign depicting an open book and a downward pointing arrow is mounted above the self-service returning point.
Picking up reservations
Reservations are located conveniently right next to the escalator and customer service on the third floor. Black signs showing the reservation numbers are placed on top of the reservation shelves.
When picking up your reservation, check the shelf location and name of the material you have reserved, as shown in the text message or email you received. You can also check the shelf location on the checkout machine. Locate your reserved material on the shelf and borrow it.
Special features
Here you can find information on what makes Oodi a special place to visit.
Central Library Oodi is not your conventional, quiet library. You may be exposed to various sensory stimuli when visiting Oodi.
Crowds
Thousands of people visit Oodi daily. Events and groups of daycare children, school pupils and tourists, in particular, will impact the activity and noise level of the library.
Oodi is often less busy on weekday mornings (at 8.00–10.00) and weekday evenings (at 20.00–21.00). The library may be quieter at these times. Weekends are often very busy from morning to evening.
Restaurant and café
A café-restaurant is located on the first floor at the northern end of Oodi. A café is also located on the third floor next to the area for children and families.
The restaurant, its kitchen and the café may generate loud noises and strong odours. The noises and odours may travel to surrounding areas. The restaurant may be loud especially at lunch time (weekdays at 11.00–14.30).
The café-restaurant on the first floor may play music. Digital art is often on display on the walls.
Urban Workshop and studios
The Urban Workshop is located on Oodi’s second floor, where you can use various workshop devices, games rooms and studios.
The second floor has considerably lower ceilings than the first and third floors, and it has only a few windows. The second floor is often very crowded in the afternoons and evenings.
The Urban Workshop features sewing machines, a large format printer and a vinyl cutter, which make loud noises at times. Noise from the music studios may also travel outside the studio rooms.
There are two customer service points on the second floor. One of the points is marked with a sign reading ‘Urban Workshop’ and the other with a sign reading ‘Games rooms’ and ‘Studios’. You can use the devices and spaces by making a reservation in the Varaamo service. You must sign in at the customer service point before the start of your reservation.
You can borrow various pieces of equipment needed for the use of devices and making crafts at the Urban Workshop customer service points. You may not take any of the Urban Workshop equipment home; it may only be used at Oodi.
Robots
Three mobile robots also work at Oodi. The robots transport small mobile book shelves on the first floor, and on the third floor, they transport book boxes.
The robots move at a brisk walking pace. The robots need space to move. They will stop if someone gets too close to them and they are able to give way to people when moving around.