Helsinki Metropolitan Area Libraries
{{Infobox library
| library_name = Helsinki Metropolitan Area Libraries
| name_en =
| library_logo = Helsinki Metropolitan Area Libraries logo.jpg
| image =
| caption =
| country = Finland
| type =
| scope =
| location = Helsinki Metropolitan Area
| established = 1976
| num_branches = 66 libraries, one reading room (journals), six bookmobiles
| collection_size = 3.4 million items
| annual_circulation = more than 17 million
| pop_served = annual visits approx. 17 million, of which more than 5 million are online library visitors
| members =
| budget =
| director = Espoo: Ritva Nyberg
Helsinki: Katri Vänttinen
Kauniainen: Piritta Numminen
Vantaa: Leena Toivonen
| num_employees = 900 library and media professionals
| website = {{URL|http://www.helmet.fi/en-US}}
}}
Helsinki Metropolitan Area Libraries (Helmet) is a library network in Finland. It consists of the city libraries of Helsinki, Espoo, Kauniainen, and Vantaa.{{cite web | url=http://www.iii.com/news/pr_display.php?id=559 | title=Helsinki Metropolitan Area Libraries (Finland) Upgrades to Sierra Services Platform | publisher=Innovative | type=Press release | date=5 February 2013 | accessdate=1 August 2014 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808044631/http://www.iii.com/news/pr_display.php?id=559 | archivedate=8 August 2014 }}
Network and operation
All libraries in Helmet have common operating rules, procedures, and services.{{cite web|url=http://www.helmet.fi/en-US/Info/Using_the_library/Library_card_and_loans%28950%29 |title=Library card and loans |publisher=HelMet|accessdate=2014-09-26}} 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.{{cite web|title=What is HelMet?|url=http://www.helmet.fi/en-US/Info/What_is_HelMet|publisher=HelMet|accessdate=2021-04-12}} The regional book storage facility is located at the Helsinki City Library in Pasila, Helsinki. The {{cvt|844|m2|ft2}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Helmet-kirjastoyhteistyösopimuksen allekirjoittaminen |trans-title=Signing of the Helmet Library Cooperation Agreement |url=http://dev.hel.fi/paatokset/asia/hel-2017-011085/u480400vh1-2017-26/ |access-date=2022-04-07 |website=Päätökset |publisher=City of Helsinki |location=Helsinki, Finland |language=fi |publication-date=2017-10-13}} 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.{{Cite web|title=Helsinki Metropolitan Area Libraries (Helmet) Helmet-kirjastot -- Helsingin kaupunginkirjasto|url=https://librarytechnology.org/library/41886|access-date=2021-04-13|website=librarytechnology.org}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.taloustutkimus.fi/ajankohtaista/uutiskirje/uutiskirje-8-2012/google-jo-kymmenen-vuotta-suomen/ |title=Google jo kymmenen vuotta Suomen arvostetuin verkkobrändi |publisher=Taloustutkimus |date= |accessdate=2014-09-26 |language=Finnish |archive-date=2014-10-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006070926/http://www.taloustutkimus.fi/ajankohtaista/uutiskirje/uutiskirje-8-2012/google-jo-kymmenen-vuotta-suomen/ |url-status=dead }}
References
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External links
- [http://www.helmet.fi/en-US Helmet website]
{{Authority control}}
Category:1976 establishments in Finland
Category:Organisations based in Helsinki
Category:Libraries established in 1976
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