Oodi
Oodi (Helsinki Central Library) is a municipally funded public library operated by the City of Helsinki's Culture and Leisure Division, serving Helsinki residents and visitors with free access to 100,000+ circulating works, professional studios, an Urban Workshop makerspace, gaming rooms, and 1,500+ annual events.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersHelsinki, Finland
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Oodi does
Oodi (Helsinki Central Library / Helsingin keskustakirjasto) is a public library opened in 2018 and operated by the City of Helsinki's Culture and Leisure Division as part of the Helmet (Helsinki Metropolitan Area Libraries) network. Located at Kansalaistori square opposite Parliament House, the four-story glass, steel, and wood-clad building serves Helsinki residents and visitors seven days a week with free access to reading areas, study and co-working spaces, group and work rooms, professional studios (music recording, photo/video, voice, editing), three soundproof game rooms with retro gaming, an Urban Workshop makerspace equipped with laser cutters and electronics workstations, and dedicated children's and youth areas. Embedded within the building are civic services including Digituki (digital support), Helsinki-info, EU@Oodi, a Youth Space, Playground Loru, and the Food & Co. restaurant, plus the 250-seat Kino Regina cinema/auditorium operated with the National Audiovisual Institute (KAVI).
The library's distinguishing technology is its participation in the Helsinki City Library's AI-driven floating collection system: Oodi maintains no fixed inventory, instead having 100,000+ books, films, and other materials circulate dynamically across the Helmet network via an intelligent logistics and robotic handling system. The facility also hosts 1,500+ events per year across nine event spaces and supports 30,000+ meetings annually in sixteen bookable rooms. All core services are free; revenue comes from municipal tax appropriation and modest facility rentals on paid event spaces (Maijansali, Kino Regina, Kuutio, Aura, Kitchen, and after-hours shoots), with catering required to be ordered exclusively from the on-site Food & Co.
The library has 64 staff organized in five self-managed teams (collection management and content, children and youth, customer experience, event and premise management, and urban workshop/studios/gaming), operates a community-led go-to-market through its website and @oodihelsinki social channels, and distributes services through walk-in access, the Helmet network for materials lending, the Varaamo platform for space reservations, and the Kultus platform for school and daycare workshops. Oodi is not a venture-backed or commercially-owned entity; it is fully municipally funded and serves a public service mandate with no equity, M&A, or IPO structure.
Oodi firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Oodi
- Legal name
- Oodi - Helsingin keskustakirjasto (Helsinki Central Library)
- Website
- https://oodihelsinki.fi
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Oodi (Helsinki Central Library) is a municipally funded public library operated by the City of Helsinki's Culture and Leisure Division, serving Helsinki residents and visitors with free access to 100,000+ circulating works, professional studios, an Urban Workshop makerspace, gaming rooms, and 1,500+ annual events.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Oodi industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Library Services
- NAICS
- Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71), Museums (712110)
- SIC
- Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Workplace Technology & Smart Office Support (Room Booking Systems, IT/AV Liaison) (IMAIALAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Occupant Experience & Smart Workplace Apps (Room/Desk Booking, Comfort Feedback) (BPABAGAO), Space & Occupancy Services (Move/Add/Change, Seating, Wayfinding) (IMAIALAF)
Keywords
Where Oodi is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Helsinki
- HQ country
- Finland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Oodi business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Municipal Public Funding: As a public library operated by the City of Helsinki's Culture and Leisure Division, Oodi is primarily funded through municipal tax revenue and government appropriations. Core services (library access, studios, reading areas, events) are free of charge to the public.
- Facility Rental Income: Oodi generates revenue by renting out paid event spaces: Maijansali (240 m², from €380/h), Kino Regina (250 m², from €380/h), Kuutio (70 m², from €150/h), Aura (31 m², €80/h), and Kitchen (30 m², €30/h). Free group rooms and workstations are available without charge.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Maijansali (multipurpose hall) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Kino Regina (cinema/auditorium) |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Kuutio (glass-walled meeting room) |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Aura (AV meeting room) |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Kitchen (group kitchen) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Outside opening hours (photo/video shoots) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Oodi product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Oodi operates as a free public library and civic cultural centre offering access to a floating collection of 100,000+ works (books, films, and other materials), creative studios (music, recording, photo/video, voice, editing), an Urban Workshop makerspace with laser cutters and electronics tools, gaming facilities, bookable event and meeting spaces, and a year-round programme of 1,500+ community events. Paid services include rental of larger event spaces (Maijansali, Kino Regina, Kuutio, Aura, Kitchen) and on-site catering through the embedded Food & Co. restaurant.
Product overview
Oodi (Helsinki Central Library) is a public library offering a comprehensive range of services organized across three floors. The facility combines traditional library resources with modern creative and event spaces. The service portfolio includes: event venues (Maijansali, Kino Regina, Kuutio, Aura, Kitchen, and Pop Up Area) for hosting events from 10 to 250 people; meeting spaces including ten group rooms and six work rooms; creative studios for music recording, video production, and editing; gaming facilities including three game rooms and retro gaming; an Urban Workshop makerspace; and children's and youth services including dedicated areas and programs. The library also provides reading facilities, a newspaper/magazine collection, and partners with Food & Co. for catering services. All services are free or available for modest rental fees through the Helsinki City reservation system.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Library Collection Access (Helmet Floating Collection)
- Maijansali
- Kino Regina
- Kuutio Glass-walled meeting and event space on the second floor. 70 m² capacity for 30-50 people, equipped with two screens, projectors, and microphones. Pricing starts at €150/h with a 2-hour minimum.
- Aura Soundproof AV meeting room on the second floor for meetings, seminars, and film screenings. 31 m² with capacity for 12-20 people, featuring quality audio-visual equipment including Dolby Atmos sound. Pricing is €80/h, paid upon reservation.
- Kitchen (Keittiö) Small group kitchen for cooking classes and meetings. 30 m² capacity for 10 people, equipped with kitchen island, two ovens, and home kitchen amenities. Pricing starts at €30/h with a 4-hour minimum.
- Creative Studios Free professional studios including music studios (acoustic, band, electronic), voice recording studio for audiobooks and podcasts, photo and video studio, recording studio with control room and vocal booth, and editing studio for video and audio projects. Available free of charge with a library card.
- Urban Workshop (Kaupunkiverstas) Makerspace on the second floor featuring a laser cutter, electronics workstations, sewing machines, and creative work areas for crafting, fabrication, and maker projects. Free to use with guidance available from staff.
- Game Rooms (Pelitilat) Three soundproof game rooms equipped with various gaming consoles and pre-loaded game selections. Includes a retro gaming corner with NES and Nintendo Switch classics. Free to use with library card.
- Group Rooms and Work Rooms Ten reservable group rooms on the second floor in various sizes for groups of 4-16 people, plus six small work rooms with adjustable electric desks for individuals or groups of 1-6 people. Bookable free of charge through the Varaamo service.
- Guided Tours Professional guided tours of Oodi for librarians, public service professionals, and general visitors in Finnish, English, and Swedish. Maximum 20 participants per tour. Helsinki Guides conducts tours during the summer holiday season when Oodi's own staff do not offer guided tours.
- Children's Area and Services Children's section on the third floor with interactive story wall, secret story room, children's event space, storytelling sessions, workshops, school visits, reading programs, and various children's activities and programs operated in collaboration with Playground Loru.
- Youth Space (Nuortentila) Youth-oriented space operated by the City's Youth Services on the 1+ floor, providing digital gaming services, workshops, and leisure activities for youth in collaboration with Oodi's urban workshop team.
Quantifiable outcome
- 100,000+ works accessible through the floating collection system
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Oodi
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Oodi technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature3 records
Oodi partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- EU@OodiminorEU@Oodi is a European Union information point located within Oodi, providing citizens with information about EU affairs, programs, and opportunities.
- Food & Co. OodicoreFood & Co. operates the on-site restaurant on the 1st and 3rd floors of Oodi, serving food and beverages seven days a week. Catering for all Oodi events must be ordered exclusively through Food & Co.
- Helsinki-infominorHelsinki-info is the City of Helsinki's general information service, providing guidance on city services and administrative matters. Embedded within Oodi to serve walk-in citizens.
- Kino ReginacoreKino Regina is an auditori-style cinema and event space located on Oodi's first floor. It hosts film screenings, lectures, and events. The facility is equipped with 250 seats, induction loop, and film projection technology operated by the National Audiovisual Institute (KAVI).
- Playground LoruminorPlayground Loru is an indoor playground operated by the City of Helsinki's Department of Early Education and Care, located on Oodi's 3rd floor. It serves families with young children and collaborates with Oodi's children and youth team on programming.
- Youth Space (Nuortentila)minorThe Youth Space is a dedicated area for young people operated by the City of Helsinki's Youth Services, located on the 1+ floor of Oodi. It provides digital gaming services, workshops, and leisure activities for youth in collaboration with Oodi's urban workshop team.
- National Audiovisual Institute (KAVI / Kuvi)coreThe National Audiovisual Institute (KAVI) operates film projectors in Kino Regina on behalf of Oodi. KAVI staff manage the projection technology and provide technical support for film screenings. Film projection services are priced at €300 + VAT/4h (minimum).
- Helsinki GuidesminorHelsinki Guides ([email protected]) conducts guided tours of Oodi for groups, especially during the summer holiday season (22 June – 14 August) when Oodi's own staff do not offer guided tours. They handle group visit reservations during this period.
- Varaamo (City of Helsinki Space Reservation System)coreVaraamo is the City of Helsinki's centralized facility reservation platform used to book all Oodi spaces: studios, game rooms, group rooms, and event halls. It is the primary digital channel through which customers access Oodi's bookable services.
- Helmet (Helsinki Metropolitan Area Libraries)coreHelmet is the joint online platform and network for Helsinki's municipal libraries. Oodi is part of the Helmet network; library cards are issued through Helmet, borrowing is managed through the Helmet system, and the floating collection operates across the Helmet network.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Oodi competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Dokk1 (Aarhus Public Library): Dokk1 is Aarhus's main public library and a Nordic counterpart to Oodi — a flagship modern civic library combining traditional library services with event spaces, makerspace facilities, and integrated citizen services, located in the city's harbor district.
- Deichman Bjørvika (Oslo Public Library): Deichman Bjørvika is Oslo's new central public library opened in 2020, designed as a 21st-century cultural and learning hub with studios, event venues, and public programming — directly comparable to Oodi in mission and architectural ambition.
- Library of Birmingham: The Library of Birmingham is one of Europe's largest public libraries, an iconic modern civic landmark combining lending, archives, event spaces, and study facilities — comparable to Oodi as a flagship municipal library with global architectural recognition.
- Seattle Central Library: Seattle Central Library is an iconic, architecturally significant modern public library combining traditional lending with extensive public programming, event spaces, and digital services — comparable to Oodi in scale, civic prominence, and architectural ambition.
- Tianjin Binhai Library: Tianjin Binhai Library is a globally recognized, architecturally iconic modern public library combining large-scale reading rooms with event, study, and cultural programming — comparable to Oodi as a flagship civic library designed to signal municipal ambition.
Broad incumbents
- Helsinki City Library (Helsingin kaupunginkirjasto): Helsinki City Library is the parent municipal library system under which Oodi operates, managing the Helmet library network across the Helsinki metropolitan area. It is the broader incumbent encompassing Oodi's floating collection and regional services.
Regional players
- Kulturhuset Stockholm: Kulturhuset is Stockholm's cultural center combining library, theater, exhibition, and event programming under one roof — comparable to Oodi as a Nordic civic cultural complex hosting books, performances, workshops, and public services.
- Kaapelitehdas (Cable Factory, Helsinki): Kaapelitehdas is Helsinki's largest cultural center hosting museums, galleries, event spaces, and creative studios in a repurposed industrial building — comparable to Oodi as a Helsinki-based civic venue offering makerspace-style creative facilities and event rentals.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Oodi social profiles
Digital presenceOodi compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Oodi financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Oodi leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Oodi funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Oodi M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Oodi
What does Oodi do?
Oodi operates as a free public library and civic cultural centre offering access to a floating collection of 100,000+ works (books, films, and other materials), creative studios (music, recording, photo/video, voice, editing), an Urban Workshop makerspace with laser cutters and electronics tools, gaming facilities, bookable event and meeting spaces, and a year-round programme of 1,500+ community events. Paid services include rental of larger event spaces (Maijansali, Kino Regina, Kuutio, Aura, Kitchen) and on-site catering through the embedded Food & Co. restaurant.
Is Oodi a public or private company?
Oodi is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Oodi founded?
Oodi was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Oodi based?
Oodi is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, in the Europe region.
How does Oodi make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Municipal Public Funding is the primary driver. The others are facility Rental Income.
Who are Oodi's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Dokk1 (Aarhus Public Library), Deichman Bjørvika (Oslo Public Library), Library of Birmingham, Seattle Central Library and Tianjin Binhai Library. Helsinki City Library (Helsingin kaupunginkirjasto) is listed as a broad incumbent. Regional players are Kulturhuset Stockholm and Kaapelitehdas (Cable Factory, Helsinki).
Does Oodi have an API?
No public API is recorded for Oodi.
What industry is Oodi in?
Oodi's product category is Public Library Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAIALAK, Workplace Technology & Smart Office Support (Room Booking Systems, IT/AV Liaison), with a secondary code of BPABAGAO, Occupant Experience & Smart Workplace Apps (Room/Desk Booking, Comfort Feedback). Its NAICS code is 71 and its SIC code is 8744.