Seinäjoki Library

{{Infobox library

| native_name = {{lang|fi|Seinäjoen kaupunginkirjasto}}

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| image = Seinajoki new library 2012.jpg

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| caption = The new Apila library building, with the original, white Aalto building reflected in the windows

| country = Finland

| type = Public library

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| established = 1865

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| location = Seinäjoki

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| coordinates = {{coord|62.785893|22.842304|display=inline,title}}

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| num_branches = 6

| items_collected = Books, music, films, etc.

| collection_size = {{circa}} 440,000 (2019){{cite web |title=Seinäjoki |url=https://tilastot.kirjastot.fi/?orgs=323&years=2019&stats=1%2C33%2C100%2C101%2C104%2C107%2C108%2C109%2C110%2C111%2C112%2C115%2C183#results |website=Kirjastot.fi |publisher=Public Libraries in Finland |accessdate=1 November 2020 |language=fi}}

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| website = {{url|http://kirjasto.seinajoki.fi/english/}}

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Seinäjoki Library (Finnish: Seinäjoen kaupunginkirjasto) is the municipal public library of the city of Seinäjoki, in Finland.

Overview

Library provision in Seinäjoki first began in 1865,{{cite news |title=150-vuotias Seinäjoen kirjasto on yhä kansan kirjasto |url=https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-7787253 |accessdate=1 November 2020 |publisher=Yle |date=6 February 2015 |language=fi}} initially as an adjunct to the local church. By the start of the 20th century it had been taken over by the municipality, and was being run as part of the local school.{{cite web |last1=Elonheimo |first1=Rispa |title=Seinäjoen kirjaston vaiheita 1865-1995 |url=https://kirjasto.seinajoki.fi/tietoa/julkaisut/historiikki/ |website=Seinajoki.fi |publisher=City of Seinäjoki |accessdate=1 November 2020 |language=fi}} The first dedicated librarian wasn't appointed until 1960, when Seinäjoki was granted its city status.

From 1968 until 2017 the library also served as the South Ostrobothnia regional library, until the regional library network was replaced by a new regional development library (Alueellista kehittämistehtävää hoitavat kirjasto) structure.{{cite web |title=Seinäjoen kirjaston vaiheita 2000-luvulla |url=https://kirjasto.seinajoki.fi/tietoa/julkaisut/historiikki2000/ |website=Seinajoki.fi |publisher=City of Seinäjoki |accessdate=1 November 2020 |language=fi}}

In addition to the central library, the operation comprises six smaller units in the vicinity, in previously separate towns and villages such as Nurmo and Ylistaro which have since been merged with Seinäjoki. It also operates two mobile libraries.{{cite web |title=Tietoa meistä |url=https://kirjasto.seinajoki.fi/tietoa/ |website=Seinajoki.fi |publisher=City of Seinäjoki |accessdate=1 November 2020 |language=fi}}

The total collection size is over 440,000, of which {{circa}} 370,000 are books.

Architecture

=''Aalto'' building=

File:Aalto library 20180925.jpg

The original central library building, Aalto, is notable for having been designed by the renowned Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. It was completed in 1965 for the 100th anniversary of the city's library operations. The building's overall design is fan-shaped, which is a common feature in many of Aalto's later works.

Along with other prominent Aalto-designed buildings such as the City Hall and City Theatre, the Aalto library forms part of the city's Aalto Centre (Finnish: Aalto-keskus),{{cite web |title=The Administrative and Cultural Centre in Seinäjoki |url=https://visit.alvaraalto.fi/en/destinations/alvar-aalto-in-seinajoki/ |website=AlvarAalto.fi |publisher=Alvar Aalto Foundation |accessdate=1 November 2020}} which has been recognised by the Finnish Heritage Agency as a nationally important built cultural environment (Valtakunnallisesti merkittävä rakennettu kulttuuriympäristö).{{cite web |title=Seinäjoen Aalto-keskus |url=http://www.rky.fi/read/asp/r_kohde_det.aspx?KOHDE_ID=1667 |website=RKY.fi |publisher=Finnish Heritage Agency |accessdate=1 November 2020 |language=fi}}

=''Apila'' building=

File:Interior of Seinäjoki library 20190509.jpg

Designed by JKMM Architects and opened in 2012, the new central library building Apila ('Clover') expanded the library's limited capacity and facilities considerably.{{cite web |last1=Mara |first1=Felix |title=Concrete kaleidoscope: New Seinäjoki City Library by JKMM |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/buildings/concrete-kaleidoscope-new-seinajoki-city-library-by-jkmm |publisher=Architects' Journal |accessdate=1 November 2020}}

Intended to complement, not imitate, the Aalto building, the Apila has a number of design features referencing the older building, including the use of white surfaces and wooden (pine) structures in the interior, as well as the copper-tiled exterior (the Aalto has a copper-clad roof).{{cite web |title=Kirjastorakennukset |trans-title=Library buildings |url=https://kirjasto.seinajoki.fi/tietoa/kirjastorakennukset/ |website=Seinajoki.fi |publisher=City of Seinäjoki |accessdate=1 November 2020 |language=fi}}

The two buildings are connected by an underground passage.{{cite news |title=Aallon mustikkalamput olivat kellarissa 30 vuotta – entisöinti pelasti |url=https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-8023601 |accessdate=1 November 2020 |publisher=Yle |date=4 June 2015 |language=fi}}{{cite web |title=Subterranean tunnel links Seinäjoki library by JKMM Architects with Aalto's 1965 building |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2014/11/12/seinajoki-city-library-jkmm-architects-alvar-aalto-finland/ |website=Dezeen |accessdate=1 November 2020}}

Apila was chosen as the 2012 'Concrete Building of the Year' in Finland.{{cite web |title=2012 |url=https://betoni.com/tapahtumat-ja-koulutukset/vuoden-betonirakenne/vuosi-2012/ |website=Betoni.com |accessdate=1 November 2020 |language=fi}}