Kimmo Tuominen to head the National Library of Finland

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to work with the National Library’s highly qualified staff, promote the openness and accessibility of knowledge, and develop the Finnish knowledge environment. I’m strongly committed to promoting the conditions of education, equality, culture and research as well as digitalisation,” says Kimmo Tuominen.

The future national librarian emphasises the significance of cooperation. “The National Library of Finland is a diverse centre of expertise and the pillar of our national literary memory. Together with memory institutions and other cooperation partners, the National Library ensures that knowledge reaches those who need it and that our nation’s intellectual wealth increases.“

Rector Sari Lindblom of the University of Helsinki is pleased that the next director of a key cultural heritage organisation has now been selected. “The National Library plays a key role vis-à-vis the University and its other partners in preserving the national published cultural heritage and making it available to the public. I’m delighted that the National Library will be headed by an experienced director with extensive experience in the library sector. Kimmo Tuominen is also familiar with the National Library as a member of its Board of Directors,” notes Lindblom.

Kimmo Tuominen is currently the university librarian at Helsinki University Library. He has previously served as director of the Jyväskylä University Library, head of reference and archival services at the Library of Parliament, director of the Faculty of Arts Library, and acting professor of communication (with an emphasis on information science) at the Department of Communication, University of Helsinki. He also holds a number of elected positions in Finland and abroad.

Kimmo Tuominen will take over as the national librarian at the National Library of Finland on 1 June 2022.