Kirjastofi

Kirjastofi is a national library cooperative in Finland that coordinates services for public libraries across multiple municipalities. It provides a unified online catalog, shared interlibrary loan, and coordinated access to digital materials such as e-books and audiobooks.

Established in 2013 by a coalition of municipal libraries and the Finnish National Library, Kirjastofi aims to reduce duplication of effort and improve user experience through standardization and collaboration. The organization operates as a non-profit foundation supported by member municipalities, national funding, and European programs.

Key activities include maintaining a centralized catalog interface that links participating libraries, coordinating digital lending, and applying common metadata standards. It also handles procurement, professional development, and outreach programs to promote information literacy.

Governance is via a board of representatives from member municipalities, with guidance from a steering committee and professional librarians. The organization reports on access metrics, cost efficiency, and service innovations in regular public updates.

Kirjastofi is part of Finland’s broader public library network and collaborates with national authorities to advance lifelong learning.