The idea of a communication‑themed FUN exchange had already been simmering in our minds in 2024. Although we work in different services at the University of Eastern Finland Library (Tuulevi in Training and information services and Piia in Customer services), communication is a central area we share. We wanted to hear about others’ experiences and perspectives on communication in an academic library. In the summer of 2025, we decided to make it happen. Not only did we receive permission to go on an exchange week, but we also got a quick and positive response from our preferred host, the Oulu University Library.
We scheduled our exchange week for mid‑November – Oulu at its finest, or so we were told. Before the visit, we were in frequent contact with our contact person, Communications Designer Leena Ilkko, who provided us with a diverse and engaging programme.
We travelled on Monday morning and Friday afternoon, so our week included two shorter and three full working days in Oulu. We spent one day at the Medical Library in Kontinkangas and the rest at the Pegasus Library on the Linnanmaa campus. While in Kontinkangas, where we hosted by our former colleague Kirsi Vähäkangas, we also visited the Health and Social Care Library.
During the week, we met not only twenty or so colleagues included in the official schedule but also many other friendly library professionals from Oulu. Our programme covered communication topics from a wide range of perspectives: communication planning and the organisation of library communications, website maintenance, internal communication, social media, collaboration with other units of the university, the use of AI in communication, teaching and guidance communication and library guides, information resource communication, data support communication and research services communication, promoting accessible library services as well as the Oulu University Library principles of a safer space.
Our Oulu colleagues – most of whom were new acquaintances – welcomed us with great friendliness and openness. Exchanging thoughts on familiar topics felt easy and natural. Even though the schedule had some flexibility, we often exceeded the allotted time as lively discussions emerged about practices and ways of working on both sides. Afterwards, we also received the materials from the presentations given to us.
We got a lot of ideas for our own work. As a topical issue right now, we can mention tips related to safer space and reading aids. We are part of the library’s accessibility services development group, which is currently promoting these issues. We were also interested in the library’s social media strategy, the potential need and implementation of which we will discuss with the library’s other content creators in the spring as a part of the library’s communications development day.
Our experience with the FUN exchange was extremely positive, and we can warmly recommend similar visits to colleagues across Finland. An exchange week is a rewarding way to discuss, compare, and network. It refreshes the mind. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the University of Oulu Library, and especially to Leena Ilkko and Kirsi Vähäkangas.
Tuulevi Ovaska
senior information specialist
University of Eastern Finland Library
Piia Pietarinen
information services advisor
University of Eastern Finland Library
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