Helka is the joint catalogue and lending system of all Helka libraries, that is: Helsinki University Library, Institute for the Languages of Finland, The Finnish Heritage Agency Library, Finnish Literature Society an Library of the Labour Movement.
Please note that the e-resources licenced by the Helsinki University Library can be accessed remotely with the University of Helsinki username only. Helka may also contain references without access to full text.
Helka's short address is helsinki.fi/helka/en
In Helka you can target your search by choosing the resource type from the drop-down menu on the right.
The default option is "Library catalog" which brings you printed material, e-books, theses and databases. You can also choose "International articles". By choosing "Everything" you'll get printed materials, e-books, journals, databases, theses, international articles and other materials. You can later narrow down the search results.
You can search both printed and e-books in Helka. Target your search to "Library catalog".
If there are several versions of a book (printed book, e-book, several editions) you can see all the versions via link "See all versions".
When seeking books you can tweak your search results by choosing "Available online" (e-books), "Held by library" (printed books) or "Open Access" (e-books online open for all).
Choose "Journal Search" on the menu on the top. Use the following options to find journals:
Choose "Database Search" on the menu on the top. To search for databases you can do the following:
Target your search to "International articles". You'll get international articles also when you choose "Everything".
Search for sources using AI Search.
Read more about how to get the Helka library card on Helsinki University Library website.
All Helsinki University Library customers have access to a digital library card. You can use the digital card at the self-service lending machines instead of a physical card.
You can access the digital library card by logging in to the Helka database. On mobile devices the card can be found behind the three dots in the top right-hand corner. When using a computer, the card can be found on the My Account page.
Customers outside of Helsinki University need to have a physical Helka card before they can use the digital card. Helsinki University Students and staff need either a physical card or a digital card activated via the Studies Service for the digital card to be visible also in Helka.
All Helsinki University Library customers can use the digital library card by logging in to the Helka database.
Log in to Helka.
Click on the icon with three dots in the top right corner of the page to display the barcode of your library card.
Show the barcode to the reader at the self-service lending machine.
Read more information on digital Helka card on the library webpage.
