Library card and logging into Helka

You need a Helka card to borrow printed materials from Helsinki University Library.
Helka Library card

You can use Helka card in all Helka libraries: Helsinki University Library, Institute for the Languages of Finland, The Finnish Heritage Agency Library, Finnish Literature Society and Library of the Labour Movement.

A Helka card can be granted to persons over the age of 15 who present an official ID card and have a valid street address in Finland, with the exception of exchange students of the University of Helsinki and researchers from abroad who can be granted a card regardless of the aforementioned terms.

The library card is personal and as its holder you commit to following the rules of all Helka libraries. Notify the library immediately if you lose your card.

As a customer you are responsible for keeping your user data up to date. If you are a student or staff of the University of Helsinki, your address and contact information is automatically updated from the background systems of the University of Helsinki. So, please notify university services (Sisu, SAP) of any changes in your contact information. Other customers (no university user account) are able to update their customer data in Helka.

The library sends reminders concerning library services only via email. These include overdue notices, notices of reservations ready for collection and reminders of items due for return or renewal. Please note that to Helsinki University students and staff Helka messages are always sent to a helsinki.fi email address.

If you need assistance with accessing the library services, for example due to a physical disability, you can request that individual arrangements be noted in your customer information.
How do I get a library card?
University of Helsinki students and staff

Helka library card via the Studies Service

Students at the University of Helsinki can acquire a digital Helka library card via the Studies Service. If you acquire a digital Helka card, you do not need a physical card at all.

  1. Log in to the Studies Service with your Helsinki University username and password. After signing in, you will see the Helka card icon in the upper right corner. With a mobile device, the Helka card can be found in the upper right corner in the hamburger menu.
  2. The service first directs you to activate your customer information in Helka. After activation, you can acquire the Helka card at the Studies Service as directed.
  3. Set the PIN code and press save. Your digital Helka card has been created and will be ready to use straight away. Your library card will also be digitally available in Helka. 

Helka library card from the customer service desk

If you prefer a plastic library card, you can acquire a Helka card from the library's customer service.

  1. Activate your customer information in Helka by signing in with your Helsinki University user credentials.
  2. After activation, you can pick up your Helka library card from any Helsinki University Library location during customer service hours. Please remember to bring a valid ID with you.
  3. Set a PIN code in your customer account in Helka. The PIN code is needed only when you borrow print material using the library's self-service lending machines.
Other cus­tom­ers (no university user account)
  1. Acquire a Helka library card with the online form. On the first stage you only need to give your email address. Helka will then send a link to your e-mail, which you can click to fill in the information required for the library card. 
  2. After you get the Welcome email from the Helka database, your Helka card is ready for pick-up. You can pick up your card from any Helsinki University Library location during customer service hours. Please remember to bring an official ID card.
  3. Once you have the library card, you can request books, renew loans, update your customer data in the Helka database and, when necessary, pay overdue fines.
  4. In order to use the library's self-service lending machines, you need a PIN code which you have to set in your customer account in the Helka database. You need to have a valid e-mail in the system to be able to log in to Helka.
  5. Your library card will also be digitally available in Helka. You can use the digital card at the self-service lending machines instead of a physical card.
Log in to Helka
Students and staff of the University of Helsinki

By logging in to Helka, you’ll have access to all self-service functions. You can reserve books, renew your loans and, if necessary, pay fees related to your customer information.

  1. Log in by selecting “University of Helsinki login”.
  2. In your customer information you will find your loans, reservations and fees.
  3. On the My Account tab, you can see your contact information and set the PIN you need to borrow books from the self check-out machines.
  4. Do not update your contact information in Helka, as your address and other contact information will be automatically updated in Helka from the background systems of the university. Therefore, if your contact information changes, it is enough to notify the university's systems (eg. Sisu/Sap).
Other Helka users (no university user account)
  1. Select “Login by Email” to log in. 
    1. If you have not registered your email address with the library, log in with Suomi.fi identification by selecting "Cannot login?".
  2. Helka will send a link to your e-mail, which you can click to log in to Helka. The link is valid for a limited time.
  3. In your customer information you will find your loans, reservations and fees.
  4. On the My Account tab, you can check your contact information and set the PIN you need to borrow books from the self check-out machines. You can update the contact information from the link “Change”.
  5. If you have problem with logging in, it may be because of an incorrect email address. Change the email address in your Helka customer information by logging in with Suomi.fi identification by selecting "Cannot login?". For more information:  
If you do not provide the library with your email ad­dress
  • You do not receive due date reminders
  • You do not receive notification when the item you have reserved is ready for collection