Suomen kirjastomuseo

About the museum

Suomen kirjastomuseo is located on the third floor of the Vaasa City and Regional Library, and it is maintained by the Finnish Library Museum Association. The museum gives a varied picture of library history through objects, books and pictures.

The first library in Finland was founded in Vaasa in 1794: the Vaasa Reading Library was established on the initiative of members of the Vaasa Court of Appeal and operated until 1845, when Russian censorship regulations forced it to close. The museum holds 30 works from this original reading library. The volumes that remained from a library founded later, in the 1850s, were found in the attic of the Brändö library in the 1930s and were bound in black leather – which is why the collection is called the Black Library.

Highlights of the collections are the first books printed in Finnish, religious works printed before 1850, and the Wanki collection, which dates from before the Vaasa fire of 1852. Literature printed at Vaasa’s first printing press from 1776 is also on display. In the poison cabinet are kept books that have at various times been banned.

Highlights

• Books from Finland’s first library, the Vaasa Reading Library
• The Black Library
• The first books printed in Finnish
• Poison cabinet for banned books
• Library cards and other library history

Operated by

Suomen Kirjastomuseoyhdistys

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is step-free for people with mobility impairments. The lift is next to the newspaper reading room.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on the third floor of Vaasa’s main library; the lift is next to the newspaper reading room.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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