Helsinki City Library's Transformation with Lyngsoe Systems' IMMS

In 2019, the Helsinki City Library, a central figure in Finland's bustling library scene, embarked on an exciting transformation. With the successful integration of Lyngsoe Systems' Intelligent Material Management System™ (IMMS) on May 15th, this historic institution stepped into the forefront of modern library management.

Helsinki City Library isn’t just any library system. Among its 37 branches is the architectural gem, the Oodi library, located in the heart of Helsinki. This ultra-modern library space caters to a myriad of user activities and offers a tailored collection of physical books. In the few months since its inauguration in December 2018, Oodi has attracted an impressive influx of visitors, with peak days recording up to 20,000 visitors – double the initial estimate!

The Finns' love for reading and library usage is notable, with the country’s 5.5 million people borrowing nearly 68 million books annually. With almost 10 million volumes circulated annually by the Helsinki City Library to its 600,000+ users, the need for a system like IMMS became apparent.

So, why the switch to IMMS?

The Helsinki City Library became the pioneer outside Denmark to adopt IMMS, an initiative co-engineered by Lyngsoe Systems in collaboration with the libraries of Aarhus and Copenhagen. The primary objective was clear: enhance automation in the holistic management of physical books, thus freeing staff to delve deeper into their ultimate mission - impeccable customer service. IMMS seamlessly bridges the library automation hardware with the Integrated Library System (ILS) and staff mobile devices. This ensures items are accurately locatable irrespective of their status, optimizes storage utilization, and ensures that each local branch's shelves meet its community's expectations.

The introduction of IMMS hinted at a shift in Helsinki's library ecosystem. Saara Ihamäki, the Regional Library Services Director at Helsinki City Library, touched on the new reservation system's adaptation, assuring patrons of the continual assistance of staff. "The emphasis on guidance and presence is bound to increase as logistical tasks diminish," she noted.

Lyngsoe Systems, equally thrilled about this collaboration, envisions IMMS as the backbone of Helsinki City Library's logistical endeavors. "Our goal is to ensure the Oodi and other branches house collections that resonate in relevance and accessibility," says Business Unit Director Henrik Kjeldgaard of Lyngsoe Systems.

Behind the creation of the IMMS was a close-knit partnership with Copenhagen and Aarhus Public Libraries. The outcome? An intuitive, efficient, and time-conserving collection management tool.

As the Helsinki City Library continues its journey, harnessing the power of IMMS, it remains a shining testament to what happens when tradition meets innovation.

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