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Yeah, it actually sucks as a place to read books. Too many tourists and visitors, and too few quiet, comfortable reading spaces. There are much better libraries
by yeahforsureman 7y ago
Yeah, it actually sucks as a place to read books. Too many tourists and visitors, and too few quiet, comfortable reading spaces. There are much better libraries for such in Helsinki, although some of those good places (eg. smaller Helsinki Uni faculty libraries) have been closed in favour of fancy big "libraries" like this one.
- MrBuddyCasino 7y ago> Yeah, it actually sucks as a place to read books. I wonder if that means that it has failed to achieve its purpose. Libraries were created in an age where books were scarce and expensive. This isn’t really true anymore, except for science or art books. What has become rare are common social spaces where you are not expected to consume. Churches used to be that, but now they’re empty. What about „libraries“ that focus on the social part, not the storing-paper part? Quiet places to read for people who want to leave their apartment, maybe because they’re lonely. Book clubs with discussions to foster intellectual exchange. The equivalent of the coffee houses old, without the blaring pop music of todays chain stores.
- sampo 7y ago> too few quiet, comfortable reading spaces Yes. The whole 3rd floor is open plan, so the noise from the kids play area and from the cafe carries over to the books area. And the magazines section is right next the kids play area, so there it's especially not quiet.