New library bus Wäinö inaugurated in Jyväskylä, Finland

A vibrant new library bus, named Wäinö, was inaugurated on Wednesday in Jyväskylä’s Southwestern Park, aimed at serving children and teenagers. However, Wäinö is more than just a library bus; it is a versatile cultural vehicle equipped with sound systems, an outdoor canopy, karaoke and movie equipment, and light art displays. According to Minna Myllylä, the head of Jyväskylä’s city library department, the library services will expand to include multifunctional days organized with various partners.

Wäinö will visit ten schools and fifteen daycare centers, as well as participate in other community events. Jyväskylä had three library buses earlier this year, but two older models, Aino and Martti, were auctioned off during the summer after over 20 years of service. Now, Wivi remains operational alongside the new Wäinö.

Children continue to be enthusiastic borrowers. Anni, a 3-year-old, was seen taking a large storybook as she stepped off the bus, accompanied by her younger brother and father. Her father noted, “It’s a really nice and modern library bus. It’s great that she found a book right away.” Despite a decline in the number of library buses since the late 1990s, with around 120 remaining last year, book borrowing remains popular, especially among children and youth.

In fact, Finland recorded over 82 million book loans last year, despite the number having decreased from about 90 million a decade ago. The Jyväskylä library buses accounted for over 80,000 loans last year, emphasizing their importance, particularly for smaller schools lacking nearby libraries. The new bus features a self-service borrowing station, and Wäinö lent out 130 books on its first evening.