Finland's largest library consortia selects new IT system

The Helmet consortia — comprising the libraries of Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen — has selected the Danish-developed Library Management System Cicero as its new shared platform. The agreement covers more than 60 libraries serving over 1.2 million inhabitants across the Helsinki metropolitan area.

Helmet's current system has reached the end of its technical lifecycle. Following a competitive dialogue with four suppliers, where quality accounted for 80 out of 100 evaluation points, the choice fell on Cicero.

"Developing services for our customers is our top priority. We use many technologies and processes that improve the availability and use of our collection. By selecting Systematic as the supplier of our library system, we especially wanted to invest in customer data security and privacy protection," says Virva Hiiri, Director of Library Network Services at Helsinki City Library.

From legacy system to shared platform

Cicero is a complete, web-based Library Management System delivered as Software-as-a-Service. It supports core library processes including acquisitions, collection management, patron administration, circulation and system management. The platform-independent architecture allows staff to access Cicero from smartphones, tablets or PCs.

For Helmet, which already operates a shared materials collection across all four municipalities, Cicero will further strengthen this model. The system is designed to handle shared catalogues, cross-library logistics and unified borrower management — enabling patrons to borrow and return materials freely across the entire network.

The solution also includes powerful analytics tools that provide libraries with insights into their own data and user behaviour, supporting evidence-based decisions on collection development and service planning.

First in Finland to connect to Population Information System

The new platform opens the door to closer integration with national data infrastructure. According to Virva Hiiri, Helmet will become the first library consortium in Finland to connect its library system to the Population Information System, so that users' addresses are updated automatically when they move.

A distinctive feature of Cicero is its shared development model. The system was built in collaboration with librarians, and new features developed for one library are typically made available to all other customers. This means Helmet will benefit from functionality already developed with and for libraries in Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm and Hamburg — and will in turn contribute to the continued evolution of the platform.

Cicero currently handles more than 12 million unique users per year and approximately seven million loans daily.

"Helmet is one of the most ambitious and collaborative public library consortia in Europe, and they have demonstrated for many years how strong cooperation across municipalities can create better services for citizens. Being given the opportunity to work with Helmet is a great recognition of our Library Management System and an important step in our continued growth in the Nordic and European markets," says Jakob Ilum Damsgaard, Director Library, Systematic.

European-developed and secure

Cicero is developed and hosted in Europe by the Danish software company Systematic, which also supplies defence software to NATO and electronic patient record systems to Danish hospitals. The company holds CMMI Level 5 appraisal and ISO 27001 certification.

Each of the four Helmet library organisations maintains its own identity and local focus. Helsinki City Library is Finland's largest public library and also serves as the national development library. Espoo City Library is known for innovation in community engagement and learning environments. Vantaa City Library is a pioneer in logistics and automation, while Kauniainen City Library brings a focus on close community connections and personalised service.

Together, the four libraries have built one of the most integrated and collaborative public library networks in Europe.

Facts about Cicero

Cicero is one of the world's most advanced Library Management Systems, developed by the Danish software company Systematic. It is currently used by all public and school libraries in Denmark, as well as by a growing number of leading libraries in Norway, Sweden and Germany.

Delivered as a Software-as-a-Service solution with continuous updates, high stability and ongoing development. Cicero supports acquisitions, collection management, patron administration, circulation and overall system management. The web-based, platform-independent technology allows access from smartphones, tablets or PCs, and includes analytics tools for data-driven insights into collections and user behaviour.

Cicero handles more than 12 million unique users annually and approximately seven million loans daily.

Facts about the Helmet libraries

Helmet is the public library consortia for the Helsinki metropolitan region, comprising the libraries of Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen.

The network operates more than 60 libraries and a comprehensive digital library service, serving over 1.2 million residents.

Helmet shares a common collection, catalogue and logistics system, allowing users to borrow and return materials freely across all libraries in the region.

Every year, Helmet records millions of physical and digital visits and hosts thousands of events for residents of all ages.