This week’s library is Kallio library (Berghälls bibliotek, Kallion kirjasto) in Helsinki. It’s a beautiful library in a neighbourhood formerly dominated by workers and currently dominated by hipsters paying overpriced rent. Kallio is the setting for the famous novel Pussikaljaromaani (Öl, vänskap och tärningsspel) that I read with great pleasure the second summer I lived in Helsinki.

When I visited Kallio library in the summer last year it had changed a lot from my previous visits in 2014-2015. The changes made change, considering how society develops (and libraries with it), but I did feel a sense of nostalgic longing when I was there. Coincidentally, one and a half week ago I felt for the very first time that I liked Turku more than Helsinki and that Helsinki maybe is most pleasurable through the lens of youthful innocence and sense of wonder.

A fun fact about Kallio library is that they used to have 5-stringed kanteles that you could check out with your library card – and quite possibly they still do! So if you ever feel threathened by a great pike, you know where to go.

Kallio library exterior, with Pride flags due to Helsinki Pride taking place the same week.

The stairs in Kallio library – old fashioned beauty.

Kallio library, a stairway to heaven, or at least a stairway to the Stairway to Heaven record as the top floor is the music section.

Kallio library top floor: children’s and music sections.

View from the top floor of Kallio library. You can see on of Helsinki’s famous trams down the road!