Service Centre introduction in easy-to-understand Finnish
Espoo City Library and Espoo’s Immigrant Guidance and Advisory Services organise introductory tours of the Iso Omena Service Centre for adults studying Finnish. The purpose of these tours is to provide information about the services at the Service Centre and to encourage new residents to become independent service users. At the same time, participants get to practise Finnish together.
In recent years, adult integration groups have frequently requested both library visits and introductions to services aimed at immigrants. At the Iso Omena Service Centre, we decided to join forces and organise the Service Centre tours together. In the future, Espoo Info will also take part in arranging the tours.
Tour participants have often studied Finnish for less than a year. That is why we use easy-to-understand Finnish during the tours. In addition to simplified language, we use a variety of materials to support understanding, as well as body language. The visiting groups’ teachers also help implement language awareness and ensure that all participants can follow along.
Information, interaction and discussion
Immigrants are often unfamiliar with the Finnish service system. Through a physical place such as a Service Centre, it is easier to explain abstract systems and services. The goal is for participants to understand the roles of different services and where they can access them. This way, they are able to use services independently.
While learning important information, participants also get to practise Finnish in a non-classroom setting. We encourage them to ask questions and engage in conversation during the visits. If all goes well, the discussion is lively and people ask many questions.
In March, Tara Elahi, who moved to Espoo from Iran less than a year ago, visited the Service Centre. She attended the tour with her fellow students and teacher. “I visit the service centre 2–3 times a week, but I still learned a lot of new things. I learned, for example, about books and audiobooks available in Easy Finnish. They also told us about youth services in Espoo. I didn’t know there was a music room in the library! It was also useful to get information about how to access health services in different situations,” Elahi describes her experience.
Many are pleasantly surprised by Finnish libraries
During the tour of the library, we focus on content related to learning Finnish, such as books in Easy Finnish and language cafés. However, we also want visitors to see the library as a broader social space. The idea that libraries offer much more than books is new to many people.
“Libraries differ from country to country. Visitors may be surprised to learn that the services are free or that they can come to the library to sew or have a snack with children. Or that residents can suggest and organise events themselves,” says Mimosa Myllärniemi, who works at the library and is involved in organising the Service Centre tours.
Many people also do not realise that libraries offer reading materials in their native language. From the library staff’s perspective, this is an important part of literacy work and enables reading stories to children in their own language. At the same time, visitors’ own language and culture become visible. We also hope that new residents will participate in library events and volunteer activities.
Towards easily accessible services
The guided tours are a valuable way to provide information about services. We can reach around twenty people at a time, instead of having to tell the same things to everyone individually. In addition, the students’ questions and comments help us understand what kinds of things cause confusion. We gain valuable insight into how we can make our services clearer and describe what we do in a more engaging way.
Service presentations are also one way to build trust with new Espoo residents. “We hope that, in addition to gaining useful information, visitors learn that they can approach Service Centre employees with all kinds of questions. Even if we cannot help, we will help you find the right service,” Myllärniemi explains. “These visits offer employees genuinely rewarding, educational and fun encounters. You receive immediate feedback on the value and impact of your work. We also hope that information about the services will spread through the visitors’ social networks.”
Enquiries
Mimosa Myllärniemi, Library Pedagogue
- Read more about group visits to libraries.
- Book an introductory tour of the Service Centre through the library visit form(external link, opens in a new window). Please contact us well in advance, at least six weeks before the desired date.