Central Library Saari will open in November 2025
The Central Library Saari will open its doors to all visitors in November of 2025. Saari will include library services, the Oulu Culture Centre of Children and Youth Kotilo and the City of Oulu’s Community Services.
The building, which was previously known as the Main Library, was closed for renovation in August of 2022. The building’s technical utilities were completely renewed during the nearly three-year renovation. Additionally, facilities and services have been updated to meet modern needs. The renovation’s total cost is approximately 20 million €. The original building was designed by the architecture firm Martti & Marjatta Jaatinen. JKMM Arkkitehdit Oy was responsible for the planning of the renovation.
In November, visitors will get to explore the renovated building and the renewed library. The Culture Centre for Children and Youth Kotilo will open in January of 2026. The new facilities invest especially in accessibility and safety. This is reflected in the design of the premises. The facilities have been renewed while respecting the architects’ original vision.
A botanical artwork called Sininen saari (Fin. Blue Island) will be built outside of the Central Library Saari. The artwork will change with the rhythm of the seasons. Visitors may enjoy the artwork through Saari’s large windows or just outside the library. Kuhmo-based artist and gardener Urho Kähkönen is the designer and creator of the artwork.
Saari is more than a library
“The Central Library is a communal and living space designed for the citizens of Oulu. Saari is an ecological equivalent of a shopping centre. A place where you can enjoy yourself and spend time either alone or with friends, but you do not have to buy anything. At Saari, you can listen, watch, read and participate in a variety of activities. Customers can also book workspaces for themselves,” explains the Director of Library Services Heidi Karhu, illustrating the versatility of the renovated library. The Central Library Saari’s exhibition, event and meeting spaces can be reserved through the calendar that will be opened on the library's website in the autumn.
The Central Library Saari will have even more space for customers after its renovation. The fourth floor will be opened to the public and it will include four different studios where visitors can play music and games and record. The Culture Centre for Children and Youth Kotilo will also be located on the fourth floor. The Culture Centre offers diverse high-quality children’s culture and activities for locals and tourists. At Kotilo, children, youth and families will be able to enjoy themselves, and play, experience and explore art and be inspired to make art themselves.
The third floor has been adapted into a multi-use floor where you can read the day’s newspaper, study, have meetings and use the larger-than-before Digital Makerspace. In the Digital Makerspace, customers will be able to explore new technology and digital small-scale production.
The second floor is reserved entirely for books. As before, the floor will include books for adults, children and youth, as well as the Comics Library Sarjasto. The book collection for children and youth will grow and will receive even more space as the staff facilities have transferred elsewhere. The self-service return station will be moved to the first floor and the reservation shelves will be located next to it. Self-service borrowing stations will be located on both the first and second floor. The library coffee shop will be moved closer to the main entrance.
The Central Library Saari welcomes everyone to explore the new facilities and services in November, just in time for the European Capital of Culture year. The opening date and opening hours will be announced later.