National Library of Finland, Helsinki

The National Library of Finland stands as the primary research library within the country. It operates under the administrative umbrella of the University of Helsinki, formerly known as the Helsinki University Library until August 1, 2006.

Tasked with preserving Finland's cultural heritage, the National Library operates as a legal deposit library, mandated by Finnish law to receive copies of all printed materials and most audiovisual content originating from or intended for distribution within Finland. These materials are then distributed to the library's national collection and to reserve collections of five other university libraries. Additionally, the National Library is responsible for archiving and safeguarding internet-published materials.

Residents of Finland are eligible to register as users of the National Library, granting them borrowing privileges for library materials. However, publications within the national collection are not available for loan beyond the library premises. Notably, the library boasts one of the world's most extensive collections of books published during the Russian Empire era.

Situated near Senaatintori Square in Helsinki, the National Library comprises both historic and modern architectural elements. The original section of the library, designed by Carl Ludvig Engel, dates back to 1844, while the newer Rotunda extension, crafted by architect Gustaf Nyström, was completed in 1906. The majority of the library's holdings are housed in the Kirjaluola, an underground bunker carved into solid rock, located 18 meters below the library, with a volume of 57,600 cubic meters (2,030,000 cubic feet).