Services
Find information about Sotkamo library’s services.
Main library and mobile library
The main library is located in the centre of Sotkamo. At the main library, you can borrow material from the sections for adults, children and young people or music section, explore the regional collection, and read newspapers and magazines in the newspaper room. In addition, you can use the internet on the library’s computers or on your own device connected to the WLAN network, and also print, copy and scan.
The mobile library called Jäläkiviisas brings the library services to schools, day care centres, and outside the town centre. There is a changing selection of the library’s material on the shelves of the mobile library. Material borrowed from the mobile library can be returned to the main library, and vice versa.
Collection
In the Sotkamo library, you can find books, newspapers, audiobooks, music, movies, maps, language courses and games. Old book treasures are located at the Vintti section. You can also explore Daisy audiobooks intended for people with visual impairments. The collections also include large print books and books in easy language. Material about the regional history and present day is acquired in the regional collection.
E-resources
The Sotkamo library offers e-resources. The E-library is a shared service for Finnish municipalities. From the E-library, you can borrow ebooks, audiobooks, and digital magazines. Other e-resources are offered by the Northern eLibrary. To use these resources, you need a Library card and the associated PIN code. Read more about e-resources in our web library.
About loaning
A library card is needed for borrowing, and it can be obtained by proving your identity. The library card entitles you to borrow material from the main library and mobile library. For people under 15 years old, a written permission from a guardian is required.
To view your own details, renew loans and make reservations through the web library, a four-digit PIN code in addition to the customer number on the library card is needed. The PIN code is only issued to a customer in person at the library, and it will not be given on the phone or by e-mail.
- Books, audiobooks, sheet music, CD discs and maps 28 days
- Magazines 14 days
- DVD discs, Blu-ray discs and digital games 14 days
- The mobile library loan periods are determined based on the route
It is possible to receive a free due date reminder of an approaching due date of loans to an e-mail address.
Material can be reserved and borrowed when visiting the library or the mobile library, through the web library, by e-mail or on the phone. The arrival of a reservation will be notified of either by a text message, e-mail or mail. Borrowed material can be renewed if there are no reservations for it. Loans can be renewed up to five time successively.
Loans can be returned to the customer service desk during the library’s customer service times. During self-service times loans can be returned using self-service kiosk. Material borrowed from the main library can also be returned to the mobile library, and vice versa. At the main library, there is also a return chute in use. It is situated on the left side of the librarys main entrance.
Material that is not in the Sotkamo library’s own collection can be ordered as an interlibrary loan. A fee is charged for interlibrary loans.The fee is normally 5 € per item, but material from nearby public libraries in the Kainuu region and from the National Repository Library (Varastokirjasto) is available for interlibrary loan for 3 € per item.
In forwarding interlibrary loans, the nationwide rules on interlibrary loans and the terms of the library giving the loan out are adhered to. A request for an interlibrary loan can be made when visiting the library or mobile library, by e-mail (kaukopalv@sotkamo.fi), or on phone (044 750 2404).
Devices available for use in the library
There are five computers with the internet for the use of customers. All of the computers have a printing option. A fee is charged for prints.
One computer in the newspaper reading area is meant for reading digital newspapers. This does not have a printing option.
A wireless local area network (WLAN) can be used at the library facilities. Networks name is Kirjasto – Vierailija. The Sotkamo library is not responsible for the functionality of the network, or the information security on customers’ computers.
The library has a multifunctional printer for the use of customers. You can use the machine to make copies and scan to email or USB memory stick. Copying is subject to a fee. Copying is available during the library’s customer service hours.
The sewing machine is located in the multi-purpose room (Monitoimitila), and is available during the library’s customer service hours on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Use of the sewing machine is free of charge. You can reserve it for up to three hours by contacting the library’s customer service. Please bring your own thread and other sewing supplies.
The printer is the Bambu Lab X1E. The printing material is PLA made from renewable raw materials, with corn starch or sugar cane as the raw material. The printer uses only the library’s own filament, i.e. printing thread.
The 3D printer allows you to print three-dimensional objects. You can create a 3D model on your own computer or download a ready-made one from the internet. Free 3D modelling software is also available online.
Note! The library cannot model printouts, only print them. If you want your own file to print, you must send it to the library by e-mail to kirjasto@sotkamo.fi. Printing of weapons or other objects intended to harm persons is prohibited.
You can book a printing session at the library’s customer service desk. The maximum time limit is 3 hours. The recommended printing time is 2 hours. Use of the 3D printer costs 0.50 € per hour. Pay at the library’s customer service desk at the end of the printing session.
You are responsible for using the 3D printer. Please inform the staff immediately if the machine does not work normally. The staff will not supervise the 3D printer during your absence. Please clean the area around the machine and the printing tray after use. The 3D printer will be turned off at the end of the library’s service hours.
Bookable spaces
The library has three reservable spaces. Two of these spaces are for meeting and working purposes. The third is the games room. Reservations are free of charge for individuals.
Workspace Kuikka
Kuikka is the smaller of the two spaces, accommodating four people at a time. You can reserve a room from the municipality’s Asio calendar or from the library’s customer service by email or phone. The space can be reserved for up to four hours. You should make your reservation well in advance so that the library staff can confirm the reservation and send you the door code to enter the room.
If the room is reserved during self-service hours, the user must have a library card and a PIN code to enter the library. Reservations for the weekend must be made by Friday at 17:00 to allow the library staff time to confirm the reservation.
Meeting room Sotka
The Sotka meeting room can accommodate up to eight people. There is a presentation screen on the wall. The room can be booked via the municipality’s Asio calendar or by contacting the library’s customer service by email or telephone. The space can be reserved for up to four hours. You should make your reservation well in advance so that the library staff can confirm the reservation and send you the door code to enter the room.
If the room is reserved during self-service hours, the user must have a library card and PIN code to enter the library. Reservations for the weekend must be made by Friday at 17:00 to allow the library staff time to confirm the reservation.
Games room
The games room features a Playstation 5 console game and four game controllers. The room is available during library service hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The room can be reserved at the library’s customer service desk. The maximum duration of the reservation is two hours. You must have a library card with borrowing privileges. Please remember to allow time to clean the room before you leave.
1. You need a library card to use the games room. The room is equipped with a PS5 console and PS Plus Premium and four controllers.
2. The games room is for gaming only. Work spaces and meeting rooms are available for meetings and work.
3. Reservations for the games room can be made up to one week in advance at the library’s customer service desk. You can only have two valid reservations at a time. The maximum duration of a reservation is two hours at a time.
4. Physical games will be loaned to the customer’s card for the duration of the game room. Digital games are available in the games room. Please note the age limits for the games! There are a few games pre-installed on the equipment, but please note that the installation time of the games and the cleaning time of the room are included in your booking.
5. The games room is only available when library staff are present between 10am and 6pm. Children under 7 years old are only allowed in the room under adult supervision.
6. The games room is subject to age limits for games.
7. Cancellation is free of charge. If you are more than 15 minutes late, your reservation will be released for others to use.
8. At the end of your shift, leave the room at least as clean as it was when you arrived.
Have a great time playing games!