Eight libraries to have new opening hours from January 12, 2026

The opening hours of Haukilahti, Kalajärvi, Kauklahti, Laajalahti, Laaksolahti, Nöykkiö, Suurpelto, and Viherlaakso libraries will be revised. Starting January 12, 2026, staff will be present at these libraries on weekdays in the afternoon and evening. At the same time, weekend opening hours will be shortened in the evenings. In the mornings and on weekends, the library will operate as a self-service library.

Opening hours at the Haukilahti, Kalajärvi, Kauklahti, Laajalahti, Laaksolahti, Nöykkiö, Suurpelto, and Viherlaakso libraries will be:

• Monday–Friday
  • 6 a.m.–1 p.m. self-service
  • 1 p.m.–8 p.m. staff present                 
• Saturday–Sunday
  • 6 a.m.–4 p.m. self-service

The effectiveness of the new opening hours and evening-focused customer service will be evaluated during the spring.

Library customer service hours will be shifted to focus on the afternoon and evening, and weekend opening hours will be reduced due to regular disturbances in libraries. In addition, we will be more present during the times when libraries have the most visitors.

Disturbances in libraries have caused inconvenience and a feeling of insecurity among customers, in addition to damaging library property and littering the premises. The disturbances have mainly occurred in the evenings when the library is unstaffed. As a result, library opening hours have had to be reduced at times, especially in the evenings, which has made it difficult for all customers to use the library.

The main goal of the change is to create stability in library opening hours. The presence of staff has been found to reduce disturbances, and when on site, staff can also deal with problem situations faster. We believe this will enable wider use of the library by different customer groups.

Library footfall statistics show that afternoons and evenings are the most popular times to visit local libraries. When our staff are present in the afternoons and evenings, we are also more available to patrons when they are visiting the library. Evening-focused service hours also create new opportunities for community building and collaboration with other local actors.

In some of the libraries, staff will also be present more often than before, i.e. five days a week. Until now, staff has been present two days a week at the Laajalahti and Viherlaakso libraries and three days a week at the Haukilahti and Laaksolahti libraries.

If you want to visit your local library in the mornings or on weekends, you must register as a self-service library user. You can register at any Helmet library during customer service hours. Also, community cards used by schools and daycare centers, can be registered for self-service library access. Read more about self-service libraries in the Helmet online library(external link, opens in a new window).