Kotka City Library
The City Library provides library and information services through the main library, two local libraries, a library bus and the Kyyti Library network.
The library maintains a varied and renewed collection and promotes a reading culture. The library is also a common meeting and event place for citizens, offering facilities for learning, leisure and civic activities.
A visit to the library
Teaching library use and information retrieval
Library use and consultation lessons, demonstrations of facilities and activities, and book tours are provided for schools, kindergartens and other groups. Library staff will also be available to explain the library’s services at various events. Guided tours and visits must be arranged separately.
Experience your library! -group visits
The City of Kotka wants to inspire the people of Kotka to be active together. We offer groups the opportunity to visit the library and its services together. Book a guided tour at the library of your choice, see the contact details of the library of your choice.
Library bus
The mobile library service has been operating in Kotka since 1970. The previous mobile library, Ilona, was introduced in 2008 and served Kotka until 2024. The new vehicle began operating in spring 2025. The mobile library runs two shifts five days a week. There are a total of 79 stops, 20 of which are at daycare centers and 11 at schools. The mobile library also makes regular stops in Pyhtää, where there are seven stops.
Kyyti Libraries
The Kotka City Library, together with other libraries in Kymenlaakso, forms the Kyyti Library cluster. In addition to Kotka, the Kyyti Libraries include Hamina, Iitti, Kouvola, Miehikkälä, Pyhtää and Virolahti. The Kyyti Libraries share a common library system, so all libraries in the area use the same library card.
Customers have access to a diverse collection of over one million volumes of books, audio books, music, films, e-books and magazines, sports equipment and games. Reservations from other Kyyti Libraries are free of charge. Reservations are transported to the library of the customer’s choice.
Click on Kyyti online or visit the library Kyyti Library
E-books and audiobooks
The library has a wide range of e-books and audiobooks. E-books are easy to carry and you don’t have to worry about late fees as the material is automatically returned at the end of the loan period. You can read or listen to books by downloading the E-library app to your mobile device from the Google or Apple app store.
The library’s e-magazine services include a comprehensive selection of the most popular domestic and foreign newspapers and magazines. You can read foreign newspapers on your own device, wherever you are. You can read domestic magazines remotely by downloading the E-library app. A selection of domestic magazines and newspapers can be read on the library’s computers and wireless network.
For music lovers, streaming services offer a high-quality collection of classical, jazz and world music. You can listen to music in your browser or with an app.
All e-materials work on Android and iOS mobile devices as well as Windows and Mac computers, with the exception of the E-library application. For the time being, it only works on mobile devices.
Library staff will guide you through the use of the e-resources.
Please note! This page is machine translated. We apologise for any errors, please report any mistakes viestinta@kotka.fi.
Opening hours, location and contact information
Opening hours, valid 1.9.2025–30.4.2026
On weekdays and public holidays, the first two opening hours are self-service.
Monday 8–20
Tuesday: 8–20
Wednesday: 8–19
Thursday: 8–19
Friday: 8–19
Saturday: 9–15
Bank Holidays: 8–16
Visiting address
Kirkkokatu 24, 48100 Kotka
Postal address
P.O. Box 204, 48101 Kotka
Contact
Customer service
Tel. 040 688 3750
E-mail: kirjasto[at]kotka.fi
Book a guided tour
Adult Information Service
kirjasto[at]kotka.fi
Tel. 040 688 3754
Children’s and Youth Department
kirjasto[at]kotka.fi
Tel. 040 688 3752
The Kotka Main Library welcomes groups by appointment on Thursdays from 10.00 to 11.30. The group visit starts with an introduction to library services and continues with a tour of the library.
The total duration of the visit is 90 minutes. Group size can be from 5 to 15 people.
The main library (Kirkkokatu 24) is on four floors, while the book depository and the local history collection are located in the basement, which is closed to the public. Please let us know when booking if your group has mobility problems.
Accessibility information
Invalid parking: yes, two spaces
Automatic doors: yes
Elevator: yes
Accessible toilets: yes, on the 1st floor
Accessible barriers: yes, two door steps at the entrance
Induction loop: yes, at the customer service desk, on the stage and in the auditorium
Guide and assistance dogs: allowed
Braille signage: no
Wheelchair: A wheelchair is not available
Rollator: yes, on the 1st floor
Baby room: available, 1st floor
Opening hours, valid 1.9.2025–30.4.2026
Monday: 7-21, staff on site 10-19
Tuesday: 7-21, staff on site 10-19
Wednesday: 7-21, staff on site 10-19
Thursday: 7-21, staff on site 10-16
Friday: 7-21, staff on site 10-16
Saturday: 7-16
Sunday: 7-16
Bank Holidays: 7-21, staff on site 10-16
Visiting address
Karhulantie 40, 48600 Kotka
Contact
Customer service
Tel. 040 688 3587
E-mail: karhula.kirjasto[at]kotka.fi
Accessibility information
Invalid parking: yes, one space
Automatic doors: yes
Accessible toilets: yes
Accessible barriers: yes, two door steps at the entrance
Induction loop: no
Guide and assistance dogs: allowed
Braille signage: no
Wheelchair: A wheelchair is not available
Rollator: yes
Baby room: The public/disabled toilet has a wall-mounted changing table and potty
Opening hours
Monday: 7- 19, staff on site 13- 19
Tuesday: 7- 19, staff on site 10- 16
Wednesday: 7- 19, staff on site 13- 19
Thursday: 7- 19, staff on site 10- 16
Friday: 7- 16, staff on site 10- 16
Saturday: 7- 16
Sunday: 7- 16
Bank Holidays: 7-16, staff on site 10- 16
Visiting address
Tarinatie 1, 48350 Kotka
Contact
Customer service
Tel. 040 158 7338
E-mail: karhuvuori.kirjasto[at]kotka.fi
Accessibility information
Invalid parking: yes, two spaces
Automatic doors: yes
Accessible toilets: yes
Accessible barriers: no
Induction loop: no
Guide and assistance dogs: allowed
Braille signage: no
Wheelchair: A wheelchair is not available
Rollator: no
Baby room: no
Book a meeting room, workspace or exhibition space
Large space for public events
266 people
Laptop, data projector, sound reproduction, 4 wired microphones, 2 wireless microphones + one headset, document camera, internet connection, guest network, flip chart
Available: during library opening hours
Main library, 1st floor (map)
Multifunctional space for events
40 people
Computer, presentation equipment, DVD/Blu-ray player, flip chart
Available: during library opening hours, except not on Tuesdays
Main library, 3rd floor (map)
Workshop and meeting room
18 people
television, presentation technique
Available: during library opening hours
Main library, 3rd floor (map)
Meeting room
20 people
television, presentation equipment
Available: during library opening hours
Main library, 1st floor (map)
Performance stage
90 people
Presentation equipment, piano
Available: during library opening hours
Main library, 2nd floor (map)
Three small group workspaces
4 people
Available: during library opening hours
You can reserve a space for up to a week at a time. If you do not pick up the key to the group workroom within one hour of the start of the reservation, the room may be given to another customer.
Main library, 3rd floor (map)
1. group workspace, booking calendar (browse only)
Small workspace for one
1 person
Cabinet, network connection
Available: during library opening hours
You can reserve a space for up to three months at a time.
Main library, 3rd floor (map)
The library has two exhibition spaces: in the lobby and on the 2nd floor.
Available: during library opening hours
Reservations for the ground floor exhibition space are managed by librarian Jaana Elsilä jaana.elsila@kotka.fi, tel. 040 845 4280
The 2nd floor exhibition space can be reserved through the library’s information service tel. 040 688 3754
Main library, 1st floor (map)
1 person
Prenta Duo XL SE -printer 2kpl, Simplify3D slicing software, LG video recorder, Adobe Premiere Pro CC video editing software, Epson Perfection V500 Photo flatbed scanner, Photoshop Elements 12 image editing software, Reflecta film scanner (Super 8 ja Normal 8)
Available: during library opening hours
You can book guidance on 3D printing and digitization from the library’s information service kirjasto@kotka.fi, p. 040 688 3754
Main library, 3rd floor (map)
4 people
Studio monitors, USB sound card, microphones, electric piano, MIDI controller
Available: during library opening hours, for 4 hours at a time
In the studio, you can play, record, and practice your own instrument, use the library’s instruments, or even record a podcast. Use of the studio is free of charge and open to anyone over the age of 15.
A valid library card is required to reserve the studio. You don’t need to be a music professional or expert to use the studio. A studio guide will be on hand at the start of your reservation to assist you if necessary.
Main library, 3rd floor (map)
12 people
Available: during library opening hours
The Kotka collection is a collection of local material that includes material about Kotka, its people, and communities, as well as literary material produced by local authors. The collection also includes material about the outer islands of the Gulf of Finland (Lavansaari, Seiskari, Suursaari, Tytärsaari).
The collection is available to customers, and home loans are granted at the library’s discretion.
The Kotka Collection is located in the basement floor, which is not open to the public. Library staff can open the door for you if you wish to explore the collection. If other reservable library spaces are occupied, the Kotka Collection may also be reserved as a meeting room.
Main library, basement floor
You can drop off a reasonable number (1–5 pieces) of clean, intact books. You may not drop off encyclopedias, or books from the “Valittujen Palojen Kirjavaliot” series. Please do not bring books that have been stored in humid conditions.
17 meters of shelving for exchange books, two tables, four chairs, one waste bin designated for plastics
Available: during library opening hours
Main library, 1st floor (map)
Meeting room
12 people
Presentation equipment, flipchart
Available: during library opening hours
Karhula Library
You can reserve the Karhula Library exhibition space either by phone 040 559 6827 or email anne.vilska@kotka.fi
Karhula Library
E-books and audiobooks
You can read or listen to e-books and e-audiobooks by downloading the E-library app to your mobile device from the Google or Apple app store:
With the Cineast movie streaming service, you can watch six movies per month for free.
The movie selection is updated regularly.
To log in, you need your library card number and PIN.
Cineast movie streaming service
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Visual versions of more than 30 domestic magazines from the last year.
The selection is available on library computers or via the library’s wireless network.
eMagz magazine service Avautuu uuteen ikkunaan
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You can read remote-access magazines by downloading the E-library app to your mobile device from the Google or Apple app store:
7 000 newspapers and magazines from 120 countries in 60 languages. You can read them on your own device, wherever you are.
Pressreader magazine service user manual Avautuu uuteen ikkunaan
Pressreader magazine service for home use Avautuu uuteen ikkunaan
Pressreader on library machines Avautuu uuteen ikkunaan
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Classical, jazz and world music. To listen, you need your library card number.
How to use Naxos music services Avautuu uuteen ikkunaan
Naxos (classical) Avautuu uuteen ikkunaan
Naxos Jazz Avautuu uuteen ikkunaan
Naxos World Avautuu uuteen ikkunaan
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You can borrow Celia audiobooks if you find it difficult to read a normal book because of a reading disability, illness, disability or similar reason.
You can sign up for Celia at the library.