The work of Helsinki City Library is based on the Finnish Act on Public Libraries and the values and strategy of the City of Helsinki. In addition to them, these collection policies are based on the Kirjaston suunta 2033 (“Direction of the Library 2033”) strategy for the future. The objective of Helsinki City Library's collection management is a diverse and multivoiced collection that serves the needs of Helsinki residents.
Principles guiding our collection management
- The collection is customer and resident-oriented and takes into account the city's broad and diverse population base.
- Decision-making related to the collection is knowledge-based.
- The collection is diverse and actively managed.
- All of the Library’s work is guided by the strategic priorities, guidelines and values of the City of Helsinki and the Act on Public Libraries.
- The collection and the methods used to manage it are subject to constant iterative development, meaning that they are adapted and updated as necessary.
Vision and objectives
Creating a culture of reading for all ages – reading is entertaining and beneficial for everyone
The objective of Helsinki City Library is to make reading entertaining and beneficial for everyone. The Library’s collection management supports this objective with a diverse range of material. The collection takes into account the diversity of literature and aims to include material of a wide range of ages: from the most popular new releases to older works that add depth to the collection. The Library's collection offers a wide range of reading material for different language groups, different age groups and city residents interested in different subjects. Having a wide range of different materials is particularly important for Finnish-language materials. The material is also made available digitally through the Finnish municipalities' shared E-library.
Helsinki City Library is part of the Helmet Library Network of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, allowing customers to access the materials of the public libraries of Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen flexibly with a common library card. The public libraries of Helsinki actively collaborate with other Helmet libraries, publishers and other actors in the vicinity of each library in order to achieve their goals.
The procurement of materials for the collection is governed by budgets and legislation. Helsinki City Library procures its materials mainly through so-called contract suppliers, within the limits of the available materials budget. The contract suppliers are selected through public tenders based on e.g. procurement legislation and the City of Helsinki's operating principles.
Democracy, freedom of speech and a sustainable society – every city resident is an influential member of society
One of the basic principles of library work is that library services belong to everyone. We defend democracy, freedom of speech and a sustainable society through our collection management. Diverse and varied library materials can also be controversial and even give rise to negative ideas. The library does not actively restrict the content included in its collection.
This means that a book in a library does not necessarily represent accurate, researched information or the views of the library. Our aim is to ensure that libraries provide access to a wide range of materials representing all kinds of views. If necessary, anyone can also submit proposals for the procurement of materials, which are evaluated by the library.
Helsinki City Library operates in a financially responsible manner. The materials budget is allocated annually between different types of material, taking into account the city's demographic trends, the numbers of library loans and the City's strategic priorities.
The materials to be added to the Helsinki City Library’s collection are selected by groups of library professionals. These material selection groups are divided according to language, type of material or target group of the material (children/adults), for example.
The Library evolves with the changing city – a library that reflects our city, evolves and develops
In 2026, Helsinki City Library consists of a total of 38 libraries, all sharing a common collection, but presenting it in a way that suits their own profile. All the materials in Helsinki’s common collection are available to customers in different parts of Helsinki. The movement of materials, known as 'floating', is made possible by the digital Intelligent Material Management System and the Library's logistics centre. As a result, customers can reserve the materials that they need from the Helmet collection and pick them up at the library of their choice free of charge.
The floating collection is a collaborative effort. The Library's collection is managed in cooperation with library staff in all the local libraries. Customer needs and wishes are communicated to the selection groups and the Collection and Metadata Unit of Library Network Services through all the local libraries in Helsinki. Our aim is to have an up-to-date collection of materials that are in good condition.
The collection is constantly evolving. Materials are removed from the collection due to declining demand, wear and tear or outdated content. The Library's Intelligent Material Management System produces information to support collection management. Materials removed from libraries are donated, recycled or sold to customers.