In the main library, which will open in July, excitement runs along Vuoksi's shore

The renovation works of Imatra's main library are scheduled to be completed on July 6.7. by when the library's doors could be opened to customers. The final opening time will be affected by the placement of books, furniture and technology after the completion of extensive renovations.

The first job was moving the city museum from the ground floor to the top floor, to the side of the children's section.

- The space between the children's section and the museum was divided by a new wall. The changes in this department have been the biggest effort, says the librarian Mika Kähkönen.

- We have to do a lot of write-offs because the Shelf meters are decreasing. However, it is quite ordinary, daily work of library professionals. About eight percent of library books are removed every year, Kähkönen explains.

The youth department will be transferred to the adult department. As a novelty, a special room for small children will be established in the library, the wall of which will be covered with nature-themed wallpaper.

- This is for toddlers. Sofas and other furniture are still being brought into the room, describes the librarian Tiina Rossi.

The Fairytale Valley - where fairy tales and other events are organized - will remain in its former place between the children's and adults' sections. The youth corner is located at the end of the adult section on the Satulaakso side. Young people will also have their own space with new wallpaper. All departments have now invested in lounge areas.

- This is a good place for young people between the children's and adults' sections. The young people are around 12-20 years old, so for the elders this is another step towards the adult section, says Kähkönen.

In the adult section, non-fiction is now both on the middle shelves and in the place of the former fiction shelves. There is already a good rule of thumb for the new location of the jännärites on the edge shelves: tension runs along the shore of Vuoksi.

- Due to the space changes, we are forced to change the order of the books, says Kähkönen.

Self-reliance is encouraged

At some point in the fall, the library will become a partial self-service library. The order of the shelves will therefore also have to be changed due to the installation of camera surveillance. With the self-directed changes, one new machine will be introduced in the library. One machine will be used entirely for recovery. There is no information yet on the date of implementation.

- We encourage customers to be self-employed, it will expand the library's opening hours. The library is supposed to be open from morning to night, just like Kulttuuritalo Virta. Customers don't have to be afraid of change: the goal is that the staff will be there from Monday to Friday anyway, says Kähkönen.

The staff of the museums and cultural house Virtra will also move into the offices of the library staff during the renovations. The quiet room becomes a conference room. Lectures and other events will now move to the music department, near the café Virtaa. Otherwise, the music department and magazine room will remain almost unchanged.

For more information:

Librarian Mika Kähkönen, p. 020 617 6602, mika. kahkonenimatra.fi (mika[dot]kahkonen[at]imatra[dot]fi)