Oulu Central Library Saari opens on November 24

The renovation of the Oulu Main Library is complete. During the renovation, the library has been transformed into Central Library Saari, and the library will open on November 24, 2025. Opening hours on the first opening day are 10.00–20.00. Saari will also include Oulu’s Community Activities, Children’s Cultural Centre Kotilo that will open in January 2026. Café Tarina, operated by Kanresta Oy, also serves customers in Saari. 

Everyone is welcome at Central Library Saari. Saari is open to all – it is free of charge and a safe space. The goal of Saari is to grow and develop into a cultural institution that resembles its users. At Saari, you can enjoy yourself, learn, and spend time alone or in groups. Saari is the ecological equivalent for a shopping centre: you can spend time there, but you don’t have to buy anything. At Saari, you can participate in a multitude of free-of-charge activities and events. 

One goal of the renovation was to create new spaces and services for customers in Saari. This goal becomes concrete in the whole building: the second floor includes more space for children and youth, and the third floor’s Digital Makerspace and the fourth floor’s studio and event facilities have been expanded. 

Saari’s opening times from Monday to Friday are 8.00–20.00, and on Saturday and Sunday from 10.00–16.00. Staff will be present on weekdays from 9.00–20.00 and at all opening times on Saturdays. From 8.00–9.00 and on Sundays the library operates as a self-service library. During self-service hours, you can borrow, return, pick up reserved materials, as well as spend time, read, and use customer computers and meeting rooms. During self-service hours, it is not possible to print, obtain library cards, pay fines, or receive help in information search. Digital Makerspace and studios cannot be utilized during self-service hours.  

All facilities and services are not yet in use on the opening day. They will be adopted once the services are finished and operable. 

Saari, floor by floor 

Accessibility and ease have been considered in locating services in Saari while acknowledging the uniqueness of the building’s architecture. There are more customer elevators and traversal between floors is now easier by using the new red elevator, and the blue elevator at the north end of the building is now also in customer use. The old elevator in the middle of the building does not reach the fourth floor. 

The return machine and reserved materials are now located on the first floor. You can also visit the first floor with a well-behaved pet. Borrowing machines are located on the first, second, and third floors.  

The second floor includes the library’s vast and extensive collection. Customer facilities have been expanded, and half of the space is reserved for children and youth. 

On the third floor, you will find magazines, customer computers, and different workspaces. There is an even calmer reading room reserved for magazine reading. Digital Makerspace will open on the third floor once it is ready. 

Oulu’s Community Services has been moved to the third floor. A presentation area will also open in Saari where associations can present their activities.  

The fourth floor has been opened to customers. You can get up there via the stairs or by using the red elevator. The highest floor includes event and training facilities and studio facilities for playing music, recording, and playing. The Children’s Cultural Centre Kotilo will also open on the fourth floor. 

Customer Service in Saari 

Saari will include customer service points on the second floor and third floor. Customers are served with queue tickets. Customer service staff is present all over the library and they will help you whenever needed. If you cannot find a customer service worker, you can call for one with a call button. 

Central Library Saari only accepts card payments. Library fees can be paid in the OUTI Web Library as well. Cash payments can be made at Oulu10 Service Points. 

Saari is a masterpiece of modern concrete architecture 

Architecturally, Saari represents pure and unassuming modernism. The facilities are renovated and altered while respecting the original vision built by Marjatta and Martti Jaatinen. The building is a masterpiece of modern concrete architecture and a piece of nationally significant cultural historical environment. 

The renovation’s design group was led by architecture firm JKMM Arkkitehdit Oy. A wide range of specialists participated in the design work. The facilities and services have been updated to meet modern requirements, with heavy investment in accessibility and safety. The nearly three-year renovation also updated the building’s technical engineering fully.  

There is a living plant artwork in front of the Central Library Saari’s glazed facade called Blue Island. It was designed and created by painter and gardener Urho Kähkönen from Kuhmo.  hkönen.