The Main Library Apila


Seinäjoki Public Library – Provincial Library
Alvar Aallon katu 14,
P.O.B. 217
60100 Seinäjoki
Tel.
+358 6 416 2317
Fax +358 6 416 2315
kirjasto(at)seinajoki.fi



 1. Apila
Photo: Jukka Kontkanen
The main library Apila was opened to public on the 20th of August 2012.
The library is designed by JKMM Architects from Helsinki that won the invited architectural competition in 2008. Head designer is architect Mr. Asmo Jaaksi, interior decorator Mrs. Päivi Meuronen and project architect Mr. Aaro Martikainen. The building is located next to the administrative and cultural centre designed by Alvar Aalto.


Photo: Jukka Kontkanen
The shape of the building resembles a clover, therefore the building is called in Finnish Apila (Clover). The shape of the building has also been influenced by Japanese origami. The facade is covered with copper and the surface pattern resembles of a scale.

Photo: Jukka Kontkanen
Apila is about 3 500 square meters in surface area. There are two floors open to the public; the offices are situated in the ground floor and in the 1st floor. 

Photo: Tytti Kettula
 2. General Information

There are about 60 000 inhabitants in Seinäjoki. The library department in Seinäjoki consists of the main library, three branch libraries, a hospital library and two mobile libraries. Number of staff in the whole library is about 55 persons.


The new library Apila is only a part of the main library. The whole main library consists of two buildings: the new Apila and the old main library designed by Alvar Aalto. The old library was completed in 1965. It is now renovated and restored. These two buildings are connected by a tunnel. 

In Apila the check-in and check-out are fully automated and for reserves there is a self-service pick up. The system is based on RFID-technology.  But of course the customers can still have personal service from staff.


All the stacks are open to the customers. In the stacks there are also microfilm readers and microfilms and a digitizing room for customers.
Offices are located mainly in the 1st floor, but in the ground floor there are also offices and the stacks for mobile libraries. The customers don’t have access to the offices.


 3. Ground floor



Photo: Jukka Kontkanen
The News Area is located in the ground floor. There you will find magazines and newspapers, workstations for the customers and a café. In the ceiling there is a relief that represents a river, both a piece of art as well as an acoustic element. The relief is designed by graphic designer Mr. Aimo Katajamäki.


Photo: Mikko Lehtimäki


Jaaksi Hall is a conference room, named after the head designer Asmo Jaaksi. There are seats for 120 people, a stage, a grand piano and the room can be divided in two sections with movable walls.  Next to Jaaksi Hall there is also a computer classroom. 




Photo: Hanna Kotila
Photo: Tytti Kettula
Photo: Jukka Kontkanen
Photo: Mikko Lehtimäki
Children´s department is also situated in the ground floor.  It has been inspired by a famous Finnish children’s book called Piilomaan Pikku Aasi by Lea Pennanen. Books and other materials are mainly located in the book houses and every book house has a theme. Picture books are located in book boxes and there is also a long sofa by the window and a lovely story time room. 

Photo: Mikko Lehtimäki
Photo: Mikko Lehtimäki
Photo: Mikko Lehtimäki


Photo: Hanna Kotila
Adult´s lending department is located next to children’s department. The atmosphere is peaceful and quite traditional.  Book shelves are made of pine. There are study seats and comfortable rocking chairs and a beautiful, big window with a great view towards the Aalto centre. For those, who want to study, there is a quiet reading room. 


4. The Basement

Photo: Jukka Kontkanen

Reading steps are the heart of the library. It is a venue for various events and also a place for reading and spending time.

Photo: Jukka Kontkanen
Photo: Jukka Kontkanen
Photo: Jukka Kontkanen
The youth and music department is located in the basement; the space has been influenced by the sci-fi novel Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. The colorful reading nooks are characteristic for the space and create a unique atmosphere. Books and magazines for youth and young adults, movies, CDs, sheet music and scores are located in white book shelves. In this section you can also find a game room, an exhibition space and a music listening room for customers. The library is co-operating with JIBBO, the Youth counseling and information services in the City of Seinäjoki and they have their office in the youth section.

For a closer look, watch a video, shot on the opening day.

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