Charting the Future of Helsinki City Library 

Library Direction 2033 – Strategic Development Work Brings the Future into Daily Practice 

Helsinki City Library is Finland’s largest public library and part of the Helmet library network serving the Helsinki metropolitan area. The library includes 38 branches and two mobile libraries, with collections comprising over 1.7 million items. In 2024, the library served its patrons with more than 9 million visits and approximately 6 million loans. Around 450 professionals work across the library system. 

How do you define a clear direction and concrete development actions that will carry through to 2033—while ensuring that staff, patrons, and partners are meaningfully involved in the change? 

Helsinki City Library set out to identify its most important future focus areas and build a plan that would go beyond strategy talk and translate into real action. In spring 2023, a future task force outlined seven key development directions. In autumn, the entire library staff and stakeholders were invited to participate in an open online dialogue. The next step was to move from words to action—by creating a roadmap that could be implemented in everyday operations. 

Intolead designed and facilitated a development process for the library based on design thinking and user-centric planning. In spring 2024, a dedicated planning group, supported by Intolead, worked through a series of co-creation workshops to produce a strategic roadmap and a shorter-term action plan. 

The process drew on input from the engagement phase held in autumn 2023, interviews with staff and patrons, and expert insight into how to deliver a multi-phase development initiative that is both effective and inspiring. A practical model was also defined for piloting, monitoring, and continuously improving the development actions. 

The result of the work was a clear and actionable development roadmap built around three strategic focus areas. An accompanying action plan and change program were created to translate the goals of the future vision into everyday practices within the library. 

Additionally, three key competency profiles were identified, and measures were outlined to support staff skills development. A follow-up model was also developed to ensure the systematic implementation and ongoing refinement of the roadmap—together with staff and partners. 

“The future-oriented work gave us a clear direction and concrete next steps. What was especially valuable was how Intolead helped us connect strategic thinking with staff engagement and practical development efforts. Now we have tools and a shared direction to move the library forward—for the benefit of both our customers and employees.”