Tampere City Library [City of Tampere]

Mission statement

Tampere City Library offers diverse and renewed collections, equipment and facilities for learning, leisure and work, as well as guidance on how to use them.

The aim is to enable residents to access the information and cultural content, to support reading skills and reading as a hobby, and to promote equality and social dialogue.

Library network

Tampere City Library includes the Main Library Metso, 14 local libraries, two library buses and library home services. The library employs nearly 200 people. Niina Salmenkangas is the Director of Library Services. You can find out more about the libraries by visiting their own web pages: Libraries' opening hours and contact information.

History

Tampere’s first lending library for all citizens, ‘Sällskapet för Låne Bibliotheket i Tammerfors stad’, was founded in 1837. The library did not have premises of its own, but operated in changing rented facilities.

The idea of constructing a separate building for the library and reading room was established in the late 19^th century. After many stages, the library building was completed in 1925.

The design competition for the present main library was held in 1978. The competition was won by the architects Raili and Reima Pietilä with their proposal ‘Soidinkuvat’ (‘Mating displays’) The Main Library Metso was opened to the public in August 1986. The building is a complete work of art, with every detail carefully considered. Metso has become one of the most internationally renowned Finnish buildings.

Architecture

The work of architect couple Reima and Raili Pietilä is strongly reflected in the library architecture of Tampere. They have designed both the Metso Main Library and the Hervanta Library. Both buildings are internationally renowned, and are frequently visited sites.

Tampere’s smaller libraries represent the architecture of their own era. Several of the various local libraries are located in schools and other city buildings, for accessibility.

Library visit for a group

Libraries introduce their activities and library architecture to visitor groups.

For a tour of the general and architectural features of the Metso Main Library for a group, or a guided tour for immigrants, please contact: [email protected].

For other city library branch offices, please contact each library’s director for a group visit. Contact details are available on the libraries’ websites: Libraries' opening hours and contact information.