Tampere Central Library
{{Short description|City of Tampere (Finland) central library, also known as 'Metso'}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox library
| native_name = Tampereen kaupungin pääkirjasto
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| image = Tampere City Library.jpg
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| country = Finland
| type = Public library
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| established = 1986
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| location = Tampere
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| coordinates = {{coord|61.498207|23.750719|display=inline,title}}
| branch_of = Tampere City Library
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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.{{cite web |title=Pääkirjasto Metso |trans-title=Central Library Metso |url=https://www.tampere.fi/kulttuuri-ja-vapaa-aika/kirjastot/aukiolot-ja-yhteystiedot/paakirjasto-metso.html |website=Tampere.fi |publisher=City of Tampere |accessdate=14 August 2020 |language=fi}} The library is located along the Hämeenpuisto boulevard in the city centre.
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. There are also meeting, project work and exhibition spaces, public computer terminals, as well as a cafeteria, Cafe Metso.{{cite web |title=Metso Floor Plan (PDF download) |url=https://koppa.tampere.fi/alfresco/service/com/eduix/publicDownload/9ee92ec5-666a-4b47-b336-a01a4b59c1c2 |website=Tampere.fi |accessdate=14 August 2020}} The facilities are laid out over three floors.
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.{{cite news |title=Moomin museum finds temporary home |url=https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/moomin_museum_finds_temporary_home/6435492 |accessdate=14 August 2020 |publisher=Yle |date=2 January 2013}}
Building
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. Inspired by the architects' visit to Ireland during the initial ideas phase,{{cite news |last1=Sokol |first1=David |title=Breaking the Modernist Mold (interview of Raili Pietilä) |url=https://www.metropolismag.com/cities/breaking-the-modernist-mold/ |accessdate=14 August 2020 |publisher=Metropolis |date=24 April 2008}} their design language was influenced by Celtic patterns, animal shapes and glacial formations.{{cite news |title=The borrowers: why Finland's cities are havens for library lovers |url=https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/may/15/why-finlands-cities-are-havens-for-library-lovers-oodi-helsinki |accessdate=14 August 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=15 May 2018}}{{cite web |title=Finnish Modernism's 10 Must-sees |url=https://www.visitfinland.com/article/finnish-modernisms-10-must-sees-2/#5e106303 |website=Visit Finland |accessdate=14 August 2020}}
The building exterior is made of granite, wiborgite, copper and glass.{{cite web |title=Tampere City Library Metso |url=https://www.discoveringfinland.com/destination/tampere-city-library-metso/ |website=Discovering Finland |accessdate=14 August 2020}}
Construction began in 1983, and the library opened to the public in August 1986.{{cite news |title=Metson remontti alkaa palveluista |trans-title=Metso renovation begins with services |url=https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-5383863 |accessdate=14 August 2020 |publisher=Yle |date=12 April 2012 |language=fi}}
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.{{cite news |title=Pääkirjasto Metson remontti on nyt valmis: Tältä siellä nyt näyttää – kirjasto on pian auki myös sunnuntaisin |trans-title=Metso renovation complete: this is how things look now - library soon open also on Sundays |url=https://www.aamulehti.fi/a/200546451 |accessdate=14 August 2020 |publisher=Aamulehti |date=22 November 2017 |language=fi}}
Gallery
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| File:Tampere City Library 04.JPG
| alt1=Entrance
| Main entrance
| File:Tampere City Library 03.JPG
| alt2=Exterior view, northern elevation
| Northern elevation
| File:Tampere City Library 06.JPG
| alt3=Exterior view, eastern elevation
| Eastern elevation
| File:Tampere City Library interior.jpg
| alt4=Tampere city library interior
| Interior, post-2017 renovation
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See also
{{Portal|Finland}}
References
{{Reflist}}
Further reading
- [https://navi.finnisharchitecture.fi/tampere-main-library-metso/ Short article on the building's architecture]
External links
- {{Official website|https://www.tampere.fi/kulttuuri-ja-vapaa-aika/kirjastot/aukiolot-ja-yhteystiedot/paakirjasto-metso.html}} (in Finnish)
{{Tampere Cityscape}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Buildings and structures in Tampere
Category:Modernist architecture in Finland