Article categories: News
Children chose the design for the new mobile library – Hilda will arrive in the streets of Vaasa in March
Published: 22.2.2025
The Vaasa City Library will receive a new mobile library, called Hilda, in the spring of 2025. The name and the design of the new mobile library will be unveiled on Hilda’s name day, Saturday 22 February, and will begin serving customers at the end of March. The official inauguration will be celebrated at Vaasa’s Market Square on Saturday, 5 April.
The design of the new mobile library’s exterior is inspired by children, fairytales, happiness, the sea, and the joy of reading. The library organised a call for artists, from which three regional artists were selected: Terese Bast, Päivi Arenius, and Lotta Strandman. From these, the library’s team selected Terese Bast’s design as the winner, as it best met the set objectives and succeeded in sparking interest and grabbing attention. The exterior design will be applied by the vehicle’s manufacturer, Kiitokori, as a wrap over the body of the vehicle.
The design chosen by children sparks the joy of reading
Children actively participated in choosing the design for the new mobile library as part of the Child-Friendly Municipality model, in which the City of Vaasa is involved. The model helps guide municipalities in making decisions that promote children’s well-being, particularly in relation to services that impact their everyday lives.
Four classes from different schools, as well as the children who participated in the ‘Bring Your Child to Work’ day held at Vaasa’s Administrative Building in November 2024, were invited to take part. Bast’s design was everyone’s favourite.
Hilda is a tribute to a pioneer of library services
The name of the new mobile library was chosen in honour of Hilda Hellman (1839–1901) who was a significant figure in the development of public library services in Vaasa. From 1875 onwards, she greatly expanded the collection and lending services of the Vaasan kansankirjasto public library, the predecessor of the present-day City Library. Hellman also worked both a teacher and a librarian.
– We want to honour her memory with the name of the new mobile library, says Sanna Bondas, Director of Culture and Library Services.
The naming competition was held on the City of Vaasa’s website in November 2024, where residents were invited to suggest suitable names for the new mobile library. The previous mobile libraries were called Rölli, Mathilda and Walter. The first two mobile libraries had no names.
The mobile library serves the entire town
Hilda will tour schools and daycare centres, as well as serve different neighbourhoods on weekday afternoons, evenings, and Saturdays. The mobile library aims to offer easily accessible library services for people of all ages in Vaasa and spread the joy of reading throughout the city.
The official inauguration will be celebrated at Vaasa’s Market Square on Saturday, 5 April.