Helsinki Metropolitan Area Libraries

Helsinki Metropolitan Area Libraries (Helmet) is a library network in Finland. It consists of the city libraries of Helsinki, Espoo, Kauniainen, and Vantaa.[2]

Helsinki Metropolitan Area Libraries
LocationHelsinki Metropolitan Area, Finland
Established1976
Branches66 libraries, one reading room (journals), six bookmobiles[1]
Collection
Size3.4 million items[1]
Access and use
Circulationmore than 17 million[1]
Population servedannual visits approx. 17 million, of which more than 5 million are online library visitors[1]
Other information
DirectorEspoo: Ritva Nyberg

Helsinki: Katri Vänttinen
Kauniainen: Piritta Numminen

Vantaa: Leena Toivonen
Employees900 library and media professionals[1]
Websitewww.helmet.fi/en-US

Network and operation

All libraries in Helmet have common operating rules, procedures, and services.[3] The same library card can be used at any library in the network. Patrons can request material from any library in the network. They can also return and renew materials at any library in the network.

The Helmet network consists of 66 locations and six bookmobiles.[1] The regional book storage facility is located at the Helsinki City Library in Pasila, Helsinki. The 844 m2 (9,080 sq ft) storage facility's collection includes more than 200,000 books and over 900 magazine annual volumes. Music related materials are stored at the Tikkurila Library in Tikkurila, Vantaa.

History

The libraries of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area have been working together since 1976. At the time, they purchased their first common computer-based circulation system.[4] In the 1980s, customers were given regionally common library cards.

In 2002, the third joint library data management system was taken into use, with the most recent version being implemented in 2013.[5] Experiences from using the system and its capabilities inspired closer cooperation within the library network. This led to the creation of a common collection, which is now in constant use by the whole population of the Capital Region.

According to a study conducted by Taloustutkimus, Helmet was Finland's second most valued online brand in 2012, bested only by Google.[6]

References
  1. "What is HelMet?". HelMet. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  2. "Helsinki Metropolitan Area Libraries (Finland) Upgrades to Sierra Services Platform" (Press release). Innovative. 5 February 2013. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  3. "Library card and loans". HelMet. Retrieved 2014-09-26.
  4. "Helmet-kirjastoyhteistyösopimuksen allekirjoittaminen" [Signing of the Helmet Library Cooperation Agreement]. Päätökset (in Finnish). Helsinki, Finland: City of Helsinki. 2017-10-13. Retrieved 2022-04-07.
  5. "Helsinki Metropolitan Area Libraries (Helmet) Helmet-kirjastot -- Helsingin kaupunginkirjasto". librarytechnology.org. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  6. "Google jo kymmenen vuotta Suomen arvostetuin verkkobrändi" (in Finnish). Taloustutkimus. Retrieved 2014-09-26.


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