The information and library field can be studied in universities, polytechnics and secondary institutions. The person responsible for a municipal library generally has a university degree which includes information and library studies. Two out of three municipal library employees have some library training. Municipal libraries, research libraries, specialist libraries and libraries at educational institutions form part of the national and international information service network. Both municipal and research libraries are open to all citizens.
Students use public and research libraries side by side.
Since most schools in Finland are small, it has been more cost-effective to develop the public libraries, which also serve the education system, but measures are now being taken to improve school library services as well. The Helsinki City Library acts as the Central Library for public libraries. It also serves as a multilingual library. The 20 provincial libraries in Finland provide information and interlibrary services in their regions. The national Repository Library in Kuopio serves both public and research libraries.