I want to be a Scandibrarian: Scandinavian Libraries & their Amazing Use of Space

In my International Librarianship class we have been talking via Skype to librarians all over the world. So far we have spoken to a librarian in Qatar, a librarian in India, and most recently to Maru Peltonen, a Finnish Librarian who works as a children’s librarian in the suburb of Espoo near the capital, Helsinki. Maru was very interesting to listen to and had some very intriguing ideas about libraries, particularly in regards to library space. 

According to Maru, what is most important to Finnish library users are the library’s collection and its space, not its activities. Finnish librarians have taken their users’ opinions seriously and have devoted a lot of thought into making their libraries comfortable welcoming spaces. As Maru put it, “some people just want to have somewhere to be, and they go to the library to find that.” She went on to say that inviting, comfy libraries make users feel welcomed and create the idea of the library as a positive place in the community. Those austere, cold libraries with their shushing librarians create an atmosphere of negativity, and this is certainly not the image libraries need to have right now.

Rum för Barn

Maru further illustrated the way libraries in Finland and other parts of Scandinavia have approached the issue of space by showing us some pictures of some amazing libraries. By far, the coolest of those libraries was Stockholm’s Rum för Barn. Rum för Barn literally translates to ‘Room for Children’ and is essentially the children’s area in the Kulturhuset library. This library is incredible. Half library, half playground, Rum för Barn is filled with places for kids to climb, cubby holes where they can hide, and even hammocks for them to relax in while they read! Maru said that as a children’s librarian, her main goal is to get kids excited about reading, and what kid wouldn’t be thrilled about going to Rum för Barn? The Swedish librarians who designed this innovative library were clearly thinking about using the space to appeal to their patrons, and they certainly succeeded (I’ve heard that there is actually a waiting list to get in to Rum för Barn at certain times during the year!).

I am now desperate to work at a Scandinavian library and be a Scandinavian Librarian (Scandibrarian). Those Swedes and Finns are certainly on the cutting edge of librarianship! Now all I have to do is learn Swedish...

To learn more about Kulturhuset and Rum för Barn, click here. Picture above found here.