Conditions of Use
1. The National Library of Finland serves research, teaching and studies in Finland, as well as the needs of others requiring information.
Reading rooms
2. The reading rooms, as well as other study areas in the Library, are intended primarily for readers using the Library's own collections.
3. Scholars and research groups can reserve study carrels, seats and shelves for fixed periods.
4. The Library´s collections can be used in the library's reading rooms.
5. The following materials can only be used in the Special Collections Reading Room:
• Special collections, including the Reenpää Collection
• Maps
• Pictures
• Manuscripts
• Material printed before the year 1800 from the Humanities Collection
See also the Special Reading Room's own Conditions of Use.
• Fiction
• Entertainment magazines
• Textbooks
• Original issues of facsimiles, microfilmed or digitalised publications
- Literature printed before the year 1900
- Valuable, rare and irreplaceable publications
- Literature from the Slavonic library printed before the year 1960
- Reference books, handbooks, bibliographies
- Newspapers
- Maps and pictures
- Microforms
- Items in poor condition
Home loans
8. Subject to certain restrictions, the right to take books out of the Library is granted to private individuals, local libraries, archives, government departments and other institutions. Home loans may not be taken outside of Finland or transferred to another person.
9. To obtain a home loan, the user must obtain a Helka card. The card is issued for the exclusive use of the person named on the card and may not be loaned to another individual. Apply for the card using the application form; you will be asked to provide your personal identification number and your address in Finland. The issuance of the card also entails compliance with the common regulations of the Helka libraries.
10. Home loans are not issued for materials belonging to the National Collection, the Manuscript Collection, the Special Collections and the materials from the Humanities Collection and Slavonic Library specified in paragraph 7.
11. Books loaned from the Library must be returned by the due date; the length of the loan period is collection specific.
12. If a publication borrowed from the Library is overdue and has not been returned, even after the user has been asked to return the book, the user's loan privileges will be revoked at all Helka libraries. The loan privileges will be reinstated after the requested book has been returned or replaced and the overdue fee paid. If a reader fails to return an overdue book after several reminder notices have been sent, it will be considered lost, and the Library will make arrangements for its replacement, if necessary by initiating legal proceedings.
Interlibrary Service
13. For research and study purposes, the Library loans original publications or facsimiles from other libraries for materials that are not held in the Library's own collections or in any local libraries.
14. Loans and copies from the Library's own collections are sent to other libraries.
- Materials from the National Collection
- Manuscripts
- Maps and pictures
- Newspapers
- Publications and microfilms in the Reference Collection or marked "not for home loan"
- Literature from the Humanities Collection printed in the 1800s
- Literature from the Slavonic Library printed between 1800 and 1960
17. General interlending rules are followed in the Library's Interlibrary Services.
18. Interlibrary loans and copies are paid services charged according the valid price list.
19. Interlibrary loans from other libraries can only be given as home loans with the permission of the owner library.
Reprographic Service
20. Copies of materials in the Library's collections can be made or ordered according to copyright regulations for personal research work or studies.
21. Reproductions may not be made of materials that could be damaged by copying.
22. The Library supplies chargeable copies from its collections within the limitations determined by the Copyright Act and Payment Decree. Detailed guidelines concerning the reproduction of manuscripts are provided in the guidelines for the Manuscript Collections.
23. Except for materials from the Humanities Collection published during the 1800s, the self-service copying of the materials specified in paragraphs 5-7 is prohibited; copies can be ordered for a fee from the Library.
General guidelines concerning loans
24. A user must order materials in his or her own name.
25. Materials loaned from the Library's collections must be handled carefully and protected against damage. No marks or underscores of any kind shall be made in books.
26. A library user who has damaged or lost library materials or equipment is obligated to compensate the Library for any damages incurred.
27. A library user must provide proof of identity if requested.
28. If requested, a Library user is obligated to prove that the books being taken out of the Library have been properly registered as loans.
Other instructions
29. Library users are only allowed in visitor areas.
30. No briefcases, large bags or outdoor coats may be taken into the Library´s rooms.
31. The Library is not responsible for users' personal property left inside the Library.
32. Eating and drinking is permitted only in the Library's café.
33. The use of mobile phones is allowed only in the Library's café and entrance foyer.
34. Users' personal computers may be used in designated areas.
35. The Library's technical equipment is intended for research work.
36. Posters and advertisements may only be posted on designated notice boards.
37. Behaviour that disturbs the Library's activities or its customers may result in the revocation of library privileges.
38. The Head of the Service Department has the right to withdraw a reader's or an institution's right to use the Library if they fail to comply with any of these conditions. Complaints against a decision must be made to the Rector within 14 days from the decision date. Regardless of the complaint the decision will become effective immediately.
39. Further guidelines for the use of the Library are found in the Library's leaflets and the regulations applicable to specific collections and the Circulation Department.
Approved by the Library Director 1.3. 2007
Further information: kk-palvelu(at)helsinki.fi
Telephone Service: +358 9 191 23196
