Board games
A selection of board games for loan or to be played in the library for people of all ages.
Card payment option
All common payment cards accepted. Contactless payment option also available.
Cash payment option
You can pay in cash monday-thursday 10-20, friday 10-16, saturday 10-16 and sunday 12-18.
Digital support
Help with using the library’s or your own devices (computer, smartphone or tablet) and electronic services with or without an appointment.
Dogs allowed
Enter ry guidance
Volunteer peer guides from Enter help seniors with using computers, tablets, smartphones and electronic services.
E-quide
The electronic service guide E-opas helps you with using free-of-charge electronic materials available at the library, such as e-books, digital magazines, online courses and e-audiobooks. Appointment booking at the library or by phone 09 310 85025.
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Interlibrary service
If the work you are looking for has not been acquired by the Helmet library or the scientific libraries in the metropolitan area, it can be ordered for you as an interlibrary loan from elsewhere.
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Legal advice service
The legal advice service offers free of charge initial guidance in all legal matters. An attorney-at-law will tell you whether you need to seek more expert help and refer you to a specialist attorney-at-law or the correct authority, if necessary. All discussions in the legal advice service are always confidential. The service is provided by Helsingin asianajajayhdistys (association for attorneys-at-law in Helsinki).
Library tours, collaboration between schools and library, and teaching how to use the library
Book tips, library tours and other special services must be booked in advance by contacting the library: toolonkirjasto.lapset@hel.fi
Click here for more information on cooperation with schools (in Finnish) https://www.helmet.fi/fi-FI/Lapset/Koulu_ja_paivakoti/Palvelut_kouluille(341).
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Newspapers and magazines
You can find the library’s newspapers and magazines on the 4th floor.
Open on Saturdays
Open on Sundays
Outdoor games
A selection of outdoor games available from April to October.
Up-to-date information on the items in the Helmet library collection can be found in the Helmet search: Items in the Helmet search
Quick reading tips
Want something new to read? Too much to read but don’t know where to start? Want some reading tips just for fun?
Quick reading tips is easy and fun way to get personalized reading list just for you. Helsinki City Library’s staff will make your list from words you choose from, and the list will come directly to your e-mail.
Fill a form and the marvelous world of books is on its way.
General fiction
Other realities
Rainbow shelf
The rainbow shelf improves the discoverability and equality of LGBTQIA* material in the library. Library staff stock the rainbow shelf with materials for adults, young people and children that describe the life of sexual and gender minorities and rainbow culture mainly through positive representation. Homophobic and transphobic material does not belong on the rainbow shelf. Rainbow shelves can be found in several Helmet libraries, and all their materials can be reserved and borrowed in accordance with the Helmet rules of use. The material placed in the rainbow shelves of Helsinki City Library can be found in the Helmet database with the search word “sateenkaarihylly” (“rainbow shelf”).
Registering as a Celia online customer
Audiobooks in the Celia library are intended for people with various challenges with reading. As an online customer, you can use your device to listen to any of the 40,000 audiobooks in the library collection, and as a CD club customer audiobooks will be delivered to you at home every month. You will need a picture ID for registration. People under the age of 15 need a guarantor.
Further information (in Finnish): https://www.celia.fi/palvelut
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Return hatch
A hatch that you can use to return material to the library outside opening hours. Returning material through the hatch is at your own risk and you will not be issued with a receipt. The material will be registered as returned during service hours when the library next opens. Overdue fees will accumulate for any late material until the return is updated in your loan details. Large items will not fit through the hatch.
Self-service printing
Self-service printing on the first floor.
You can print A4 black and white or colour prints on the customer printers. Printouts cost €0.40 per page and are paid
to the customer service point.
To print, you need a print account. Create your printing account: asiakastulostus.hel.fi. You will need an email address to register your printing account.
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Wireless network (Wi-Fi)
Customers have the use of a free-of-charge wireless network.
Charging equipment
Lockable charging cabinet for mobile phones.
Computers
You can use customer computers in the library 1-2 hours. Computers cannot be reserved in advance.
Copying machine (color)
Black and white or colour copies, self-service, sizes A4 and A3. Copies cost €0.40 per page. You can also use the copier to scan documents to your e-mail or a memory stick.
Digital magazine service
You can read Finnish newspapers and foreign newspapers and magazines in digital format on designated tablets at the library.
Check out more detailed information on the digital magazine service at the library here: https://www.helmet.fi/en-US/eLibrary/Magazines
Electricity consumption meters
Loan period 2 weeks. You must return items to the same library you borrowed them from. You cannot reserve items. You cannot renew item loans.
Exercise equipment
A selection of exercise and sports equipment. A selection of winter sports equipment, such as plastic sleds, is available in the winter.
Hand truck
You must return items to the same library you borrowed them from. You cannot reserve items. You cannot renew item loans.
Up-to-date information on the items in the Helmet library collection can be found in the Helmet search: Items in the Helmet search
Laptop computers
You may borrow a laptop computer to be used in the library. The loan period is a maximum of four hours (0.5–4 h depending on the library). Laptop computers cannot be reserved in advance.
Leather hole tongs
Leather hole tongs are in Ompeluhuone on 4th floor.
Musical instruments
Ask for more information at the library.
Overlocker
The overlocker is available for use upon reservation. You can use the facility free of charge. Further information and reservations at Varaamo: https://varaamo.hel.fi/
Paper shredder
Paper shredder is located on the cellar floor.
Pick up tool
Loan period 2 weeks. You must return items to the same library you borrowed them from. You cannot reserve items. You cannot renew item loans.
Up-to-date information on the items in the Helmet library collection can be found in the Helmet search: Items in the Helmet search
Printers (color)
You can print A4 black and white or colour prints on the customer printers. Printouts cost €0.40 per page and are paid
to the customer service point.
To print, you need a print account. Create your printing account: asiakastulostus.hel.fi. You will need an email address to register your printing account.
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Scanner
You can use the multifunction device to print, copy and scan without appointment.
You can save scanned files to your own memory stick or send them by e-mail. Scanning is free of charge.
Self check-out and return machines
Option to use the self check-out and return machines for checking out and returning material.
Sewing machines
The sewing machine is available for use by reservation. You can use the facility free of charge. Further information and reservations at Varaamo: https://varaamo.hel.fi/
Tablet computers
Hublet drive that includes six tablets for use in the library. Hublet tablets can be borrowed with a library card and PIN, with an operating time of 2 hours.
Ukulele
Ask for more information at the library. Loan period 2 weeks.
Exhibition premises
Lastenalue, in the 1st floor, has space for small exhibits suitable for children. Please contact toolonkirjasto.lapset@hel.fi for further information.
Group work rooms
In Töölö Library are two bigger meeting rooms and three smaller group rooms.
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Meeting rooms
In Töölö Library are two bigger meeting rooms and three smaller group rooms.
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Room for drumming and playing piano (both electric/digital)
The music room in the 4th floor, offers space for playing either digital piano or electric drums. The space can be booked for up to two hours. Rumpu- ja pianohuone is not sound-proof and therefore not suitable for singing.
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Stage
The Stage in the 4th floor suits best for acoustic concerts and other performances. Inquiries and bookings by e-mail toolon_kirjasto@hel.fi.
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The reading hall
The silent hall is suitable for reading and working alone quietly. The space is equipped with Wi-Fi