Learning spaces ~ Oulu Yliopisto Kirjasto

I began a log of some of my experiences and thoughts. Here are some entries...

12 February

Learning spaces ~ Oulu Yliopisto Kirjasto
Libraries seems to fit perfectly with the Finnish nature, to sit quietly (Finns don’t talk very much) and be pensive. Concentrating while not saying one word.
This is a reflection from observing my surroundings in the university’s main library one day.
Spaces: main library
There seems to be plenty of space for materials in this library, but for some reason some of the rooms are not being used to house items. It looks like they may be “in transition,” for example the journal cubbies are empty as if perhaps they were moved recently.
On the positive side, the study areas are not congested, but are good and spacious. In addition, the bookshelves are well spaced for easy browsing. It is a nice place to study (and very quiet).

Today I went to “Introduction to Saami Studies,” a course designed, I suppose, for non-Finns to learn about this minority population (6,000 in Finland). Sometimes people also call the Saami, the “Lapps,” but this is not the preferred name. They are an amazing people, in fact there are something like nine different Saami languages (not dialects). You may see the word "Saami" spelled several different ways and most people in the world tend to call them "Laplanders" or "Lappish people".