Services

Main library and mobile library

The main library is located in the centre of Sotkamo, next to the municipality offices. At the main library, you can borrow material from the sections for adults, children and young people or music section, explore the regional collection, and read newspapers and magazines in the newspaper room. In addition, you can use the internet on the library’s computers or on your own device connected to the WLAN network, and also print, copy and scan.

The mobile library called Jäläkiviisas brings the library services to schools, day care centres, and outside the town centre. There is a changing selection of the library’s material on the shelves of the mobile library. Material borrowed from the mobile library can be returned to the main library, and vice versa.

Collection

In the Sotkamo library, you can find books, newspapers, audiobooks, music, movies, maps, language courses and games. Old book treasures are located at the Vintti section. You can also explore Daisy audiobooks intended for people with visual impairments. The collections also include large print books and books in easy language. Material about the regional history and present day is acquired in the regional collection.

eLibrary

The Sotkamo library is part of the Northern eLibrary. The eLibrary contains 9 e-material services, which include a diverse collection of e-books, e-audiobooks, e-newspapers, music and movies.

Library card and PIN code

A library card is needed for borrowing, and it can be obtained by proving your identity. The library card entitles you to borrow material from the main library and mobile library. For people under 15 years old, a written permission from a guardian is required.

To view your own details, renew loans and make reservations through the web library, a four-digit PIN code in addition to the customer number on the library card is needed. The PIN code is only issued to a customer in person at the library, and it will not be given on the phone or by e-mail.

Loan periods

• Books, audiobooks, sheet music, CD discs and maps 28 days
• Magazines 14 days
• DVD discs, Blu-ray discs and digital games 14 days
• The mobile library loan periods are determined based on the route

It is possible to receive a free due date reminder of an approaching due date of loans to an e-mail address.

Reserving and renewing material

Material can be reserved and borrowed when visiting the library or the mobile library, through the web library, by e-mail or on the phone. The arrival of a reservation will be notified of either by a text message, e-mail or mail. Borrowed material can be renewed if there are no reservations for it. Loans can be renewed up to five time successively.

Returning loans

Loans can be returned to the customer service desk during the library’s customer service times. During self-service times loans can be returned using self-service automaton. Material borrowed from the main library can also be returned to the mobile library, and vice versa. At the main library, there is also a return chute in use when the library is closed. It is situated on the door on the side of the municipality office building.

Interlibrary loans

Material that is not in the Sotkamo library’s own collection can be ordered as an interlibrary loan. A fee is charged for interlibrary loans.The fee is normally 5 € per item, but material from nearby public libraries in the Kainuu region and from the National Repository Library (Varastokirjasto) is available for interlibrary loan for 3 € per item.

In forwarding interlibrary loans, the nationwide rules on interlibrary loans and the terms of the library giving the loan out are adhered to. A request for an interlibrary loan can be made when visiting the library or mobile library, by e-mail (kaukopalv@sotkamo.fi), or on phone (044 750 2404).

Devices available for use in the library

There are five computers with the internet for the use of customers. Four of the computers can be used without a reservation for half an hour. One of the computers can be used for an hour, and it can be reserved beforehand. All of the computers have a printing option. A fee is charged for prints.

Customers also have access to a photocopy machine, a scanner, a microfiche and a digitization device, with which VHS tapes can be converted to the DVD format.

WLAN

A wireless local area network (WLAN) can be used at the library facilities. The Sotkamo library is not responsible for the functionality of the network, or the information security on customers’ computers.