Finnish Education and the Public Library

The Finnish people are quite high on education, and thus every child is expected to attend school from age 7 through age 18. In order for immigrants to remain in Finland, they must learn the language. School and higher education are provided at no cost to the families, and the population has a 94% literacy rate. One way to see their priority in action is to visit the public library in Helsinki. In planning the structure, the architects consulted with a variety of people including children. Why ask children? I guess why not? One of the features the children wanted was live trees - so there are a number of live trees from Mexico inside the library. The children also wanted a hill, and so, at one end of the building is a hill with a ramp going down to the main area.

The library's open spaces are used for studying, gathering, collaborating, and working. The children's area has a number of play spaces as well as areas to read, and throughout the library are special areas for meetings, podcasting, and studying. Computers are provided free of charge, 3-d printers and large printers are available for the cost of material used, a sewing center allow people to create and sew, and soundproof music rooms give musicians an opportunity to record their work for free. There is no doubt the Finns try to emphasize the value of learning and creativity, and their library is a grand example of it!