Libraries and information seeking | Open University

The Helsinki University Library (the Main Library and the four campus libraries) is also at the disposal of open university students. 

Helsinki University Library provides:

• All textbooks and examination literature. Most of the textbooks for the open university are available at the Helsinki University Library’s Main Library in Kaisa House. Some of the course books are available electronically. You can read them online if you have a University of Helsinki user account.
• Training and advice: Helsinki University Library: Courses and workshops 
• Facilities for study and groupwork, which are also available to open University students 

 Please note that some of the course literature is in high demand, so make sure you find your books well before your examination or assignment due date.  

City and municipal libraries as well as the libraries of other institutions of higher education can also be helpful in your studies. Resources from all libraries in Finland can be browsed at Finna.fi. 

The Helka card is the library card for the Helsinki University Library. You need a Helka card to loan printed material from the Library.

In addition to the Helsinki University Library, the Helka card can be used at certain other special libraries outside the University. For the National Library of Finland, you need a separate National Library card. 

Read more about the Helka card and how to get one:  

• Helsinki University Library: Library card and the right to use the library 
• Helka guide (in Finnish)

The learning material for your courses may also include electronic books and resources.

All journals and articles acquired by the Helsinki University Library can be accessed through the Library’s Helka search portal. If you have a University of Helsinki user account, you can access electronic journals and books through Helka.

The University of Helsinki’s printed and electronic textbooks are also available through Helka. In addition, digital resources can be accessed via ResearchGuides.

Read more: 

• The University of Helsinki guide to using e-books

In addition to printed and e-books, University studies often involve referring to articles published in academic publications and anthologies. Academic articles can be found through the following reference databases.

• Helka (international articles)
• Finna.fi (Finnish articles)
• Web of Science (international articles)  

Information seeking skills are necessary for studying at the University. It’s important to know what kind of information you need and how you can find and use it most effectively. Using and evaluating various sources critically is also an information seeking skill.

Books and academic articles are good examples of information sources. Newer sources include the digital versions of books and academic journals, blogs and videos.

Read more about information retrieval skills:

• Helsinki University Library: Study information seeking independently
  • Student’s digital skills: Information seeking
  • Information seeking and management for thesis writers
• Helsinki University Library: Using the collections Information sources at your disposal
• Helsinki University Library: Information seeking courses
• Helsinki University Library: Information seeking advice