Tampere Central Library

Tampere Central Library (Finnish: Tampereen kaupungin pääkirjasto) is the main municipal library in Tampere, Finland. It is also known as Metso ('Capercaillie'), due to its resemblance to the bird, when viewed from above.[1][2] The library is located along the Hämeenpuisto boulevard in the city centre.

Tampere Central Library
Tampereen kaupungin pääkirjasto
61.498207°N 23.750719°E / 61.498207; 23.750719
LocationTampere, Finland
TypePublic library
Established1986
Branch ofTampere City Library

Facilities

In addition to the main lending collection, the library houses a reference section and information service, children's and young adults' sections, newspaper reading room, music section as well as a small performance stage.[3] There are also meeting, project work and exhibition spaces, public computer terminals, as well as a cafeteria, Cafe Metso.[4] The facilities are laid out over three floors.[1]

For a quarter of a century, the building was also home to the city's Moomin Museum, until its move to new premises in 2012.[5]

Building
The library featured on a 1987 Finnish postage stamp

The library was designed by architects Reima and Raili Pietilä in the organic architecture style. The design contest was held in 1978, with the Pietiläs' proposal Soidinmenot ('Lek mating') winning by unanimous decision.[1] Inspired by the architects' visit to Ireland during the initial ideas phase,[6] their design language was influenced by Celtic patterns, animal shapes and glacial formations.[7][8]

The building exterior is made of granite, wiborgite, copper and glass.[2]

Construction began in 1983, and the library opened to the public in August 1986.[9]

A comprehensive renovation was carried out in 2015-2017, at a cost of over €11 million, to refurbish the facilities and bring them better in line with modern requirements.[1][3]

  • Entrance
    Main entrance
  • Exterior view, northern elevation
    Northern elevation
  • Exterior view, eastern elevation
    Eastern elevation
  • Tampere city library interior
    Interior, post-2017 renovation

See also

References
  1. "Pääkirjasto Metso" [Central Library Metso]. Tampere.fi (in Finnish). City of Tampere. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  2. "Tampere City Library Metso". Discovering Finland. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  3. "Pääkirjasto Metson remontti on nyt valmis: Tältä siellä nyt näyttää – kirjasto on pian auki myös sunnuntaisin" [Metso renovation complete: this is how things look now - library soon open also on Sundays] (in Finnish). Aamulehti. 22 November 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  4. "Metso Floor Plan (PDF download)". Tampere.fi. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  5. "Moomin museum finds temporary home". Yle. 2 January 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  6. Sokol, David (24 April 2008). "Breaking the Modernist Mold (interview of Raili Pietilä)". Metropolis. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  7. "The borrowers: why Finland's cities are havens for library lovers". The Guardian. 15 May 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  8. "Finnish Modernism's 10 Must-sees". Visit Finland. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  9. "Metson remontti alkaa palveluista" [Metso renovation begins with services] (in Finnish). Yle. 12 April 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2020.

Further reading
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