The mobile library Saaga will not operate its evening route on Thursday, March 13th due to maintenance work.
We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
Additional information:
Lahti City Library Service manager, procurement and logistics services, Johanna Mattila
044 416 3228 Johanna.Mattila@lahti.fi
Nastola Library will switch to self-service hours earlier than usual on Tuesday, March 11th.
The staff will serve customers till 5 PM, after which the library’s facilities and services will be available for self-service.
Additional information:
Terhi Lehti
Service manager, local library services terhi.lehti@lahti.fi / tel. 044 483 1513
The selection of season tickets available for borrowing has expanded. You can now also borrow a swimming hall card from the library.
The swimming hall season tickets provided by the Sports Services are available for borrowing from the Lahti Main Library and the Nastola Library. There are a total of 2 season tickets.
The library’s selection includes several season tickets for various cultural and sports events. You can borrow each season ticket once during the spring and autumn seasons. The loan period for season tickets is 1 week.
Please take good care of the card you borrow. A replacement fee will be charged for lost cards provided by LSL and the Sports Services.
Ask more from the library.
Additional information:
Lahti City Library, Head of Library Services, Suvi Haikola, tel. 044 416 3239, suvi.haikola@lahti.fi
The year 2024 at Lahti City Library was a year of turning new pages and changes in many ways. Among other things, the libraries in Lahti received a new library system, a new mobile library, and the national E-library was introduced. Additionally, changes were made as the Lahti library network was reviewed. The decision to close the Laune Library from the beginning of 2026 was made in the fall of 2024. Statistics show that customers consistently accessed library services through various routes, with more visitors to the library and increased participation in virtual events.
Library Services Towards New and Innovative Solutions
In mobile library services, a single vehicle model was adopted at the beginning of 2024 as the old vehicles reached the end of their lifecycle, and services were completely paused from August 20 to November 24. The new electric mobile library was introduced in the fall of 2024. Lahti City Library organized a naming competition for the new mobile library in July-August. Nearly five hundred name suggestions were received, and the new mobile library was named Saaga. Lahti’s new bookmobile Saaga started its routes on November 25.
The national E-library was also introduced in Lahti in April 2024. The national E-library was created through the collaboration of the National Library and public libraries to improve the availability of e-materials for library customers. For Lahti residents, the E-library introduced remote-access magazines as a new type of material.
Lahti’s first neuropsychiatric lending service (nepsy-lainaamo) was opened at the main library on August 28. The service was realized as one of the projects of Lahti City’s participatory budgeting. The nepsy-lainaamo is intended for borrowing and familiarizing with tools that help with neuropsychiatric challenges.
The new library system was implemented in the fall of 2024. The transition to the new system took place from September 16 to September 29, 2024.
The Welfare and Leisure Committee decided on October 9, 2024, to close the Laune Library from January 1, 2026. Regarding the Mukkula Library, the committee decided that the new library would not be located in the upcoming Mukkula multipurpose building, but another location would be sought.
Growth in Library Visits
A total of nearly 952,809 customer visit in Lahti libraries during the year 2024, which was about 2.7 percent more than the previous year.
A total of 1,874,708 loans were made, which was 1.2 percent less than the previous year. This was likely influenced by the service interruption due to the library system change and the discontinuation of the second bookmobile. A total of 81,453 e-loans were made. E-material loans increased by 15.3 percent compared to the previous year.
The library does significant work in promoting reading among children and young people. Last year, children’s and young people’s books accounted for 48% of all book loans. The borrowing of children’s materials has been increasing in recent years, especially in children’s fiction. This growth has been partly influenced by expert material selection work, ensuring a wide and diverse collection of books for children and young people.
The investment in literacy work for children and young people is also reflected in the loan numbers. The library offers material recommendations and various media education packages for each grade level through schools. A library employee, “vinkkari" (a material recommender), can be invited to the school to provide material recommendations and reading suggestions for age-appropriate books, or the class can come to the library to listen to them. A library employee can also be invited to the school to talk about media education. Topics can include safe use of media, age limits, and source criticism. Last year, 3,579 children and young people were reached through book recommendations and media education packages.
Customers found their way back to the Renkomäki Library, as the number of visitors to the Renkomäki Library, opened in 2023 in the multipurpose building Aura, increased by 26 percent compared to the previous year. The number of visitors during self-service hours rose by a whopping 64.9 percent compared to the previous year. Additionally, loans also increased by about 10 percent.
Free Events Organized by Libraries Attracted Customers
The events recorded nearly 8,911 visits. The number of participants in virtual events increased from last year, with 1,182 participants in virtual events in 2024, compared to 730 virtual participants the previous year.
The library offered residents several opportunities to participate in societal discussions in a constructive and encouraging spirit. Dialogue sessions were held in libraries, discussing the library’s collections and engaging with young people. In connection with the review of the library network, resident meetings were held to discuss the importance of the local library to the residents of the area in the spirit of dialogue.
Additional Information:
Salla Palmi-Felin Library Services Director Lahti City Library Phone: +358 50 559 4098 Email: salla.palmi-felin@lahti.fi
Infographic Images: Nora Nordman / Lahti City Library
The technical issues with the mobile library have been fixed, and Saaga is back in service.
The Lahti City Library’s mobile library, Saaga, will resume its school and daycare routes, as well as evening routes, according to the announced schedule starting Wednesday, February 5th. The supplier of the library bus repaired the technical fault in Saaga.
You can find the mobile library schedules and routes on the Lastu online library.
See you at Saaga’s stops!
Additional information:
Lahti City Library Service manager, procurement and logistics services, Johanna Mattila
044 416 3228 Johanna.Mattila@lahti.fi
The Ambassador of Ukraine to Finland Olga Dibrova visited the Lahti Main Library on Thursday, January 30th, for the donation event of the Ukrainian Bookshelf project. The event celebrated the donation of Ukrainian books to the Lahti library network.
The book donation was received by Mayor Niko Kyynäräinen and Library Services Director Salla Palmi-Felin. The event also featured a musical performance by Ukrainian students from Kirkonkylä School.
The Ukrainian Bookshelf project was initiated by Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska. Through this project, over 200 bookshelves have been established in Europe, Asia, Africa, and North and South America.
The project is part of an initiative by Olena Zelenska and the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aimed at distributing Ukrainian literature to libraries worldwide.
– Literature and reading provide us with experiences, skills, and knowledge. Our roots live in and through culture. It is a pleasure and an honor to receive this book donation and offer our residents the opportunity to explore Ukrainian literature, says Mayor Niko Kyynäräinen.
With the donation, over 40 new Ukrainian books are available for loan in Lahti libraries. The collection mainly consists of children’s and young adult literature, but also includes adult literature. It features both fiction and non-fiction books, as well as classics of Ukrainian literature and poetry. Additionally, the collection includes some works from the Ukrainian primary school literature curriculum. The Lastu library collections have 350 Ukrainian books available for loan.
– We have strived to serve our Ukrainian-speaking customers comprehensively and meet their needs. This book donation supports us in this work, and we are very grateful for it, says Library Services Director Salla Palmi-Felin.
Additional information:
Salla Palmi-Felin
Director of Library Services salla.palmi-felin@lahti.fi / tel. 050 559 4098
International House Lahti
ihl@lahti.fi
The Ambassador of Ukraine to Finland, Olga Dibrova, will visit the Lahti Main Library on Thursday, January 30th, starting at 11 AM, for the donation ceremony of the Ukrainian Bookshelf project. The event will celebrate the donation of Ukrainian books to the Lahti library network.
The Ukrainian Bookshelf project was initiated by the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska. Through this project, over 200 bookshelves have already been established in Europe, Asia, Africa, and North and South America.
The event will feature speeches by the Ambassador of Ukraine to Finland, Olga Dibrova, the Mayor of Lahti, Niko Kyynäräinen, and the Director of Library Services, Salla Palmi-Felin, as well as a musical performance by Ukrainian students from Kirkonkylä School.
The event will be held in the event area of the Lahti Main Library and will last approximately 45 minutes. Ukrainian partners and stakeholders, as well as other Ukrainians in the Lahti area, have been invited to the event. The event is open to everyone.
Additional information:
Salla Palmi-Felin
Director of Library Services salla.palmi-felin@lahti.fi / tel. 050 559 4098
International House Lahti
www.internationalhouselahti.fi
ihl@lahti.fi
Temporary arrangement for Lahti’s mobile library service has been found. The replacement service concept, “library van,” will deliver materials to kindergartens, schools, and other customers starting from January 21.
The Lahti City Library will begin delivering materials to schools and kindergartens, as well as touring evening routes, with a van temporarily replacing the mobile library on Tuesday, January 21. Upon request, book bag orders and material reservations will be delivered to schools and kindergartens, and returns will be accepted. The evening routes will be driven according to the announced route schedule. In the evening routes, reserved materials will be delivered to customers, and returns will be accepted. Additionally, a small amount of loanable materials, including new adult releases and children’s and youth materials, will be available.
Materials can be reserved for the mobile library through the Lastu online library. Assistance with making reservations is available from library staff if needed. Reading tips for reservable materials can also be requested through the Lastu recommendation service.
Lahti’s mobile library Saaga is currently off the routes due to an extended malfunction, which is being investigated by the vehicle supplier. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Please follow updates on the Lastu online library.
Additional information:
Lahti City Library Service manager, procurement and logistics services, Johanna Mattila
044 416 3228 Johanna.Mattila@lahti.fi
The Lahti mobile library will temporarily not operate its routes due to a prolonged malfunction.
The cause of the mobile library’s operational issues has not yet been identified, and the vehicle has been sent to the supplier for further investigation. The mobile library will not be in service until further notice.
Efforts are being made to temporarily replace the mobile library service with an appropriate service concept. The aim is to deliver reserved materials to customers as well as materials to schools and kindergartens. More information will be provided as soon as possible.
We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
Please follow updates on the Lastu online library.
Additional information:
Lahti City Library Service manager, procurement and logistics services, Johanna Mattila
044 416 3228 Johanna.Mattila@lahti.fi
Lahti City Library’s eventful spring starts in January. The library’s spring events are full of freshness, nature, science, and means of civic engagement.
The theme for the spring 2025 events at Lahti libraries is civic engagement, which will delve into topics ranging from election information to environmental conservation. Lahti City Library is also involved in the Youth Elections, where young people learn about elections, parties, and voting, and acquire important democratic skills for civic engagement. Civic engagement is widely reflected in the selection of guests and the encouragement of societal influence. Civic engagement encourages focusing on sustainable solutions, which improves people’s well-being, understanding, and living environment.
In January, there will be notable guests such as Anna-Sofia Berner, a journalist from Helsingin Sanomat and former Washington correspondent. Berner has written the book “Ten Wounds in the Heart of America” (2024), which addresses the pain points of American society and their impact around the world. During her visit, Berner will talk about her current book and the experiences behind it.
Civic engagement is also explored multidimensionally through nature activism and environmental influence, which is vital for humans. In April, the guest will be award-winning nature documentary director Petteri Saario, known for his documentaries on the relationship between humans and nature, such as “Activist” (2016) and “The Harshest of the Harsh” (2014).
Music events are strongly rooted in the library’s program. The entertaining library music quizzes are familiar cornerstones of the events, and there will also be refreshing concerts that shake up traditions in a suitable way. The earthy tunes will be led by Luomuduo, the loudest trailblazer of Nordic instrumental post-folk, whose roots are deep in folk music and traditional playing.
During the spring, the city library offers a wide range of events with free access for everyone. There are familiar reading, craft, and writing circles, as well as digital guidance. There are also many recurring events for children and families, such as storytelling sessions. A highlight of the spring is the “Chemist’s Mystery” workshops for 1st to 4th graders, held at both the main library and branch libraries.
“We strive every year to plan the richest, most encouraging, and timely event program possible, which serves our customers widely,” says Suvi Haikola, the service manager responsible for the library’s events.
Library events are an equal opportunity for everyone to participate. They provide an opportunity for reliable information and culture. Events are organized to promote literacy and active citizenship, as well as to maintain the municipality’s vitality.
Library events can be attended accessibly and inclusively. Some of the library’s events are streamed so that they can also be followed from home. We follow the principles of safer spaces in the library premises and events to ensure a safe participation experience for everyone.
The library’s event brochure can be picked up from the libraries, and events can also be explored on the library’s website, Tapahtumakalenteri, lastu.finna.fi. The event brochure includes the events of the main library and branch libraries from January to May.
Additional information:
Lahti City Library, Head of Library Services, Suvi Haikola, tel. 044 416 3239, suvi.haikola@lahti.fi
Luomuduo
Photo/Aaro Keipi
Technical issues in the login process of Lahti’s self-service libraries.
There may be short interruptions, lasting a few minutes, in the login process of self-service libraries, temporarily preventing their use.
If you cannot log in and the screen turns red, please wait until it turns blue again and try logging in.
The cause of the interruptions is being looked into. We apologize for any inconvenience.
There will be a short service interruption in the payment functions of the Lastu online library and Lahti libraries at the turn of the year.
Online payments will not be possible to conduct in the Lastu online library from December 31, 2024, at 11:00 PM to January 2, 2025, at 10:00 AM due to the introduction of a new financial management system.
During the interruption, it will also not be possible to make payments at the service desks in the Lahti libraries.
Nastola Library will switch to self-service hours earlier than usual on Friday, December 27th. The staff will serve customers till 3 PM, after which the library’s facilities and services will be available for self-service.
Lahti City Library will be open during Christmas, New Year, and Epiphany as follows:
Main Library
Branch Libraries
Library Bus Saaga
Saaga is not operating due to a technical fault.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
The first weeks of December are almost behind us, but there are still many advent calendar doors to open. So, you still have plenty of time to follow the library’s advent calendar, which this year has the theme “Did you know?”
Behind each door, you’ll find a fun or useful fact about the library. For example, did you know that exactly 100 new copies of “Diary of a Wimpy Kid" (Neropatin päiväkirjaa) have been acquired for Lahti libraries? How high would such a stack reach?
You can find the advent calendar on the library’s Instagram @lahtikirjasto or on our Facebook page Lahti City Library.
With Christmas materials, you can immerse yourself in the holiday and Christmas vacation atmosphere.
The loan period for Christmas materials is 2 weeks, so by timing your library visit correctly, you can easily keep the loans over the holidays or even into early January. The Christmas collection features many new items across several departments, both in the main and branch libraries.
You can find new Christmas items for both children and adults in the online library.
Welcome to borrow Christmas materials and other holiday reading!
In the Lahjoita lämpöä -campaign, a total of 338 knitted items, including socks, mittens, and hats, were delivered.
In the Joulupostia ikäihmisille -campaign, a total of 2,312 Christmas cards were delivered to lonely elderly people.
Both the knitted items and the cards have also been distributed to those in need.
What was it about? Christmas charity campaigns in autumn 2024 at Lahti City Library:
Lahti City Library participated in the Lahjoita lämpöä campaign organized by the A-Clinic Foundation and EHYT ry from 2.9.–30.11.2024, collecting mittens, gloves, and wool socks for the homeless and others in need.
Lahti City Library also participated in the Joulupostia ikäihmisille campaign from 4.11.–6.12.2024. The campaign invited residents to send Christmas cards to the elderly. The purpose of the campaign is to share Christmas joy with the elderly – especially those who receive few holiday greetings. The campaign is under the patronage of the President of the Republic, Alexander Stubb.
Christmas charity campaigns are still ongoing at Lahti City Library. Donate warm items this week or bring Christmas mail for the elderly next week.
At the library’s charity collection points, you can spread Christmas cheer and help in the following ways.
Donate Warmth by Knitting - Lahjoita lämpöä -campaign
Lahti City Library is participating in the Lahjoita lämpöä -campaign by A-Clinic Ltd and EHYT ry from September 2 to November 30, 2024, collecting mittens, gloves, and woolen socks for the homeless and others in need. Are you inspired to help by knitting, or do you have ready-made, unused knits to donate?
You can knit and donate woolen mittens, gloves, and socks for the collection! Bring your knits to the main library’s collection point by the end of November.
Send Christmas Mail to the Elderly - Joulupostia ikäihmisille -campaign
Joulupostia ikäihmisille -campaign invites residents to send Christmas cards to the elderly. Lahti City Library is participating in the campaign from November 4 to December 6, 2024. The campaign aims to share Christmas joy with the elderly, especially those who receive few holiday greetings. For some elderly people, this Christmas remembrance may be the only one they receive, making it even more significant in combating loneliness. The campaign is sponsored by the President of the Republic, Alexander Stubb.
You can participate in spreading Christmas joy by delivering a Christmas card to the main library’s collection point. Additionally, collection points can be found at the Ahtiala, Laune, Kärpänen, and Nastola branch libraries.
The campaign poster says, "Light up the darkness. Touch with a card."
The mobile library Saaga has arrived at the library and will serve customers starting Monday, November 25th, 2024. You can get to know the new mobile library Saaga in front of the Main library on Friday, November 22nd, from 12 PM to 2 PM. Welcome to meet Saaga!
Schedules and routes can be found on the Lastu online library.
Additional information:
Lahti City Library Service manager, procurement and logistics services, Johanna Mattila
044 416 3228 Johanna.Mattila@lahti.fi
EDIT 19.11.2024 The version update has been completed for the Lastu libraries’ library system, and the services are functioning normally
----------
Short service interruption 17.11.-19.11. – please note the annual system update of the Lastu libraries’ library system
The version update of the Lastu libraries’ library system will take place from November 17th to November 19th, 2024. During this time, the Lahti City Library and other Lastu libraries will not offer borrowing, returning, or reservation services. The libraries will be open, but the self-service hours of the branch libraries will not be available.
The version update of the library system will begin on Sunday, November 17th at 7 PM. The system is expected to be back in use on Tuesday, November 19th at 12 PM.
The library system will be out of service during the update, causing a short service interruption for users. Additionally, during the version update, the libraries’ check-in station and check-out stations, self-service, and e-services connected to the system will be out of use. However, the online library will be available to customers during the version update; for example, materials can be searched, but availability information will not be visible, and logging into the online library or renewing and reserving loans will not be possible.
A new library system was introduced in the Lastu libraries in the fall of 2024. The library system will be updated to a new version approximately once a year in the future. The version update will be carried out simultaneously in all libraries using the same system. The version update will bring new features to the system, improve its usability, and further strengthen the system’s security.
The libraries will be open during the version update, but borrowing, returning, or reserving will not be possible. There will be no due dates or final pick-up dates for reservations during the version update period. The self-service hours of the branch libraries will be closed on Sunday, November 17th at 6 PM and are expected to reopen by Tuesday evening.
Opening hours of Lastu libraries during version update 17.11.-19.11.2024
Lahti libraries
Lahti main library
Lahti branch libraries (Ahtiala, Jalkaranta, Kärpänen, Laune, Liipola, Mukkula, Nastola, Renkomäki) are open during service hours. Self-service hours are not available on Sun 17.11. after 6 pm. Self-service hours will return on Tue 19.11. after service hours.
Ahtiala library
Jalkaranta library
Kärpänen library
Laune library
Liipola library
Mukkula library
Nastola library
Renkomäki library
Asikkala library
Hartola library
Heinola library
Hollola main library
Kalliola library
Hämeenkoski library
Kärkölä library
Orimattila library
Padasjoki library
Sysmä library
Check the up-to-date opening hours in the online library at lastu.finna.fi.
4.11.2024 EDIT: The disturbance is over!
The technical fault has been fixed.
The services of the Liipola library are working normally again and self-service time is now available.
------------------------------------------
Liipola Library's self-service hours are temporarily out of use
Liipola's self-service hours are temporarily out of use due to an technical fault.
Liipola library's self-service hours are temporarily unavailable due to a technical fault starting from 30.10. 18:00.
The technical fault is expected to be fixed during the next week. We apologize for any inconvenience.
The annual staff development day will cause exceptions to the library's opening hours on 1.11.
Lahti libraries will be closed on Friday, 1.11., due the annual staff development day. The mobile library will also not be operating. In addition, the main library will be closed on Saturday, 2.11., due to All Saints' Day.
Self-service hours in Ahtiala, Jalkaranta, Kärpänen, Mukkula, Nastola, and Renkomäki will be open for independent use. Liipola's self-service hours are temporarily out of use due to an technical fault.
The welfare and leisure board of Lahti unanimously decided to close the Launee library as of January 1, 2026.
The board states that the savings targeted for the library's financial plan years 2026 – 2027 will be realized with this decision.
The mobile library routes will be redesigned from the beginning of 2026, taking into account the closure of the Laune library.
In addition, the board decided that the library in Mukkula will continue to operate, but the location of the library in more affordable premises than the multi-purpose building will be under clearance.
Otherwise, the board decided the issues according to the agenda at its meeting on October 9, 2024.
The city's news in finnish language can be found on the city's website (link opens in a new window).
Additional information:
Salla Palmi-Felin
Director of Library Services salla.palmi-felin@lahti.fi / tel. 050 559 4098
Terhi Lehti
Service manager, local library services terhi.lehti@lahti.fi / tel. 044 483 1513
The selection of musical instruments in the main library's hobby rooms has been expanded with an electronic drum kit.
The Main Library collection of musical instruments has been expanded. We have acquired a set of Roland electronic drums, which emulate the feel of playing acoustic drums.
You can play the electronic drums in the piano room 4. The piano room can be reserved via the Timmi booking system. Read more about the rooms for recreational activities and how to reserve them at https://lastufinna.lahti.fi/rooms-for-recreational-activities/ (opens to a new window).
We also have some additions to the collection of sports equipment that can be borrowed. The library now has new equipment that may tempt our customers to go hiking or doing other physical exercise outdoors. The sports equipment in the library has been provided by the Lahti City Sports Services.
”Last autumn the Lahti Sports Services conducted a survey on what sports equipment our customers would wish to have. It’s great that we now have frisbee golf discs, for example,” says Suvi Haikola, Head of Library Services.