Seinäjoki Library

{{Infobox library | native_name = {{lang|fi|Seinäjoen kaupunginkirjasto}} | name = | logo = | logo_size = | logo_alt = | image = Seinajoki new library 2012.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = The new ''Apila'' library building, with the original, white ''Aalto'' building reflected in the windows | country = [[Finland]] | type = [[Public library]] | scope = | established = 1865 | dissolved =  | ref_legal_mandate = | location = [[Seinäjoki]] | service_area = | coordinates = {{coord|62.785893|22.842304|display=inline,title}} | branch_of = | num_branches = 6<ref name="kir" /> | items_collected = Books, music, films, etc.<ref name="plf" /> | collection_size = {{circa}} 440,000 (2019)<ref name="plf">{{cite web |title=Seinäjoki |url=https://tilastot.kirjastot.fi/?orgs=323&years=2019&stats=1%2C33%2C100%2C101%2C104%2C107%2C108%2C109%2C110%2C111%2C112%2C115%2C183#results |website=Kirjastot.fi |publisher=Public Libraries in Finland |accessdate=1 November 2020 |language=fi}}</ref> | criteria = | legal_deposit = | req_to_access = | annual_circulation = | pop_served = | members = | budget =  | director = | num_employees = | website = {{url|http://kirjasto.seinajoki.fi/english/}} | embed = | module = }}

'''Seinäjoki Library''' ([[Finnish language|Finnish]]: ''Seinäjoen kaupunginkirjasto'') is the municipal public library of the city of [[Seinäjoki]], in [[Finland]].<ref name="kir" />

==Overview== Library provision in Seinäjoki first began in 1865,<ref name="yle1">{{cite news |title=150-vuotias Seinäjoen kirjasto on yhä kansan kirjasto |url=https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-7787253 |accessdate=1 November 2020 |publisher=Yle |date=6 February 2015 |language=fi}}</ref> initially as an adjunct to the local church.<ref name="yle1" /> By the start of the 20th century it had been taken over by the municipality, and was being run as part of the local school.<ref name="hist">{{cite web |last1=Elonheimo |first1=Rispa |title=Seinäjoen kirjaston vaiheita 1865-1995 |url=https://kirjasto.seinajoki.fi/tietoa/julkaisut/historiikki/ |website=Seinajoki.fi |publisher=City of Seinäjoki |accessdate=1 November 2020 |language=fi}}</ref> The first dedicated [[librarian]] wasn't appointed until 1960, when Seinäjoki was granted its city status.<ref name="hist" />

From 1968 until 2017 the library also served as the [[South Ostrobothnia]] [[Regions of Finland|regional]] library,<ref name="hist" /> until the regional library network was replaced by a new regional development library (''Alueellista kehittämistehtävää hoitavat kirjasto'') structure.<ref>{{cite web |title=Seinäjoen kirjaston vaiheita 2000-luvulla |url=https://kirjasto.seinajoki.fi/tietoa/julkaisut/historiikki2000/ |website=Seinajoki.fi |publisher=City of Seinäjoki |accessdate=1 November 2020 |language=fi}}</ref>

In addition to the central library, the operation comprises six smaller units in the vicinity, in previously separate towns and villages such as [[Nurmo]] and [[Ylistaro]] which have since been merged with Seinäjoki. It also operates two [[Bookmobile|mobile libraries]].<ref name="kir">{{cite web |title=Tietoa meistä |url=https://kirjasto.seinajoki.fi/tietoa/ |website=Seinajoki.fi |publisher=City of Seinäjoki |accessdate=1 November 2020 |language=fi}}</ref>

The total collection size is over 440,000, of which {{circa}} 370,000 are books.<ref name="plf" />

==Architecture== ===''Aalto'' building=== [[File:Aalto library 20180925.jpg|right|thumb|Original ''Aalto'' building, opened in 1965]] The original central library building, ''Aalto'', is notable for having been designed by the renowned Finnish [[architect]] [[Alvar Aalto]]. It was completed in 1965 for the 100th anniversary of the city's library operations.<ref name="aa" /><ref name="rky" /> The building's overall design is fan-shaped, which is a common feature in many of Aalto's later works.<ref name="yle2" />

Along with other prominent Aalto-designed buildings such as the [[Seinäjoki City Hall|City Hall]] and [[Seinäjoki City Theatre|City Theatre]], the ''Aalto'' library forms part of the city's [[Aalto Centre, Seinäjoki|Aalto Centre]] ([[Finnish language|Finnish]]: ''Aalto-keskus''),<ref name="aa">{{cite web |title=The Administrative and Cultural Centre in Seinäjoki |url=https://visit.alvaraalto.fi/en/destinations/alvar-aalto-in-seinajoki/ |website=AlvarAalto.fi |publisher=Alvar Aalto Foundation |accessdate=1 November 2020}}</ref> which has been recognised by the [[Finnish Heritage Agency]] as a nationally important built cultural environment (''Valtakunnallisesti merkittävä rakennettu kulttuuriympäristö'').<ref name="rky">{{cite web |title=Seinäjoen Aalto-keskus |url=http://www.rky.fi/read/asp/r_kohde_det.aspx?KOHDE_ID=1667 |website=RKY.fi |publisher=Finnish Heritage Agency |accessdate=1 November 2020 |language=fi}}</ref>

===''Apila'' building=== [[File:Interior of Seinäjoki library 20190509.jpg|right|thumb|Interior of the new ''Apila'' building, opened in 2012]] Designed by [[JKMM Architects]] and opened in 2012, the new central library building ''Apila'' ([[wikt:apila#Finnish|'Clover']]) expanded the library's limited capacity and facilities considerably.<ref name="kir" /><ref name="yle2" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Mara |first1=Felix |title=Concrete kaleidoscope: New Seinäjoki City Library by JKMM |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/buildings/concrete-kaleidoscope-new-seinajoki-city-library-by-jkmm |publisher=Architects' Journal |accessdate=1 November 2020}}</ref>

Intended to complement, not imitate, the ''Aalto'' building, the ''Apila'' has a number of design features referencing the older building, including the use of white surfaces and wooden (pine) structures in the interior, as well as the copper-tiled exterior (the ''Aalto'' has a copper-clad roof).<ref name="rak">{{cite web |title=Kirjastorakennukset |trans-title=Library buildings |url=https://kirjasto.seinajoki.fi/tietoa/kirjastorakennukset/ |website=Seinajoki.fi |publisher=City of Seinäjoki |accessdate=1 November 2020 |language=fi |archive-date=6 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806111122/https://kirjasto.seinajoki.fi/tietoa/kirjastorakennukset/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The two buildings are connected by an underground passage.<ref name="yle2">{{cite news |title=Aallon mustikkalamput olivat kellarissa 30 vuotta – entisöinti pelasti |url=https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-8023601 |accessdate=1 November 2020 |publisher=Yle |date=4 June 2015 |language=fi}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Subterranean tunnel links Seinäjoki library by JKMM Architects with Aalto's 1965 building |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2014/11/12/seinajoki-city-library-jkmm-architects-alvar-aalto-finland/ |website=Dezeen |accessdate=1 November 2020}}</ref>

''Apila'' was chosen as the 2012 'Concrete Building of the Year' in Finland.<ref>{{cite web |title=2012 |url=https://betoni.com/tapahtumat-ja-koulutukset/vuoden-betonirakenne/vuosi-2012/ |website=Betoni.com |accessdate=1 November 2020 |language=fi}}</ref>

==See also== *[[Aalto Centre, Seinäjoki]] * [[List of libraries in Finland]] {{Portal|Finland}}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *{{official site|http://kirjasto.seinajoki.fi/english/}} *[https://jkmm.fi/work/seinajoki-library/ Seinäjoki Library (Apila)] on JKMM Architects website

[[Category:Alvar Aalto buildings]] [[Category:Seinäjoki]] [[Category:Modernist architecture in Finland]] [[Category:Buildings and structures in South Ostrobothnia]] [[Category:Libraries in Finland]] [[Category:Library buildings completed in 1965]] [[Category:Library buildings completed in 2012]] [[Category:Libraries established in 1865]]