Text and Photo: International Student Ambassador Esther Veas

Libraries are the cornerstone of any university student’s degree, especially when writing essays or studying independently. The University of Helsinki has four libraries, one in each campus:

• Kaisa-talo in the City Centre campus
• Kumpula
• Viikki
• Terkko in Meilahti

In addition to these facilities, students may also use the National Library, which is next to the Helsinki Cathedral, as well as Learning Centres Minerva and Aleksandria.

What to do in the library?

• Study

There are several types of study areas depending on the level of noise allowed: from completely silent (signposted in red), to quiet noises (marked in yellow), to normal volumes (in green).

If you are doing a group project, you can also book group rooms through your Outlook calendar at https://www.helsinki.fi/office365

• Get books and articles!

If you would like to borrow some books from the library, you will need a Helka card. You can order it online or from the customer service point in Helsinki University library.

You can search through the library’s collections in the Helka search engine. There you will also find databases and will be able to access articles. If you still can’t find what you need, you can request it!

• Get training!

If you need help with referencing or searching for information in the library, you may attend the open training courses offered by the library. For more information: http://www.helsinki.fi/kirjasto/en/get-help/training/open-training/

You can also have a browse through their resources yourself here: http://www.helsinki.fi/kirjasto/en/get-help/searching-library-resources/information-retrieval-support/

• Computers, printing, copying and scanning

There are multifunction printers in the libraries and learning centers which you can use with an Unigrafia copying card.

To use a computer either in the library or learning centers, you will need your university IT account.

For more information about e.g. opening times or floor maps, check out the following link: http://www.helsinki.fi/kirjasto/en/home/