One of the world's finest . . .

One of the world's finest new public libraries is Oodi, the central public library in Helsinki.  It rained all day today so I spent several hours exploring there.  See extra for entrance level inside. 

Opening in 2018 it welcomed more than 3 million visitors in its first full year, and I can understand why.  Clad in wood, of course, it is a stunningly large and light and beautiful edifice across the road from Finland's Parliament and a stone's throw from the main railway station.

Boasting three floors of services including gaming rooms, meeting rooms, sewing machines, music rooms and digital printers as well as the full range of traditional library offerings, it is regarded as the city's sitting room. 

The name originated from a public competition. Oodi is an ode or lyrical poem. 

Oodi's public balcony and the entrance to Parliament House over the road are on exactly the same level, to symbolise democracy and dialogue.