The library acquires the course literature that is included in the curriculum and specified in the curriculum each academic year with the appropriations of the library. It is recommended to choose materials that are already in the library's collections and also to favour open educational resources whenever possible. The course literature should be reported to the library using the Helka's acquistion proposal form (see more detailed instructions at the bottom of this page).

The course literature for the curriculum

Announcement of course literature included in the curriculum to the library is the responsibility of the faculty, depending on the faculty of either the head of study at the faculty, the education planner, or the teacher in charge of the course. Check with your supervisor, educational planner, or degree programme student administration for the faculty's method of operation.

The library needs information on the course literature of the new curriculum 2026-2029 by May 2026 at the latest.

The library provides support for curriculum planning by finding out, for example, what form or license it is possible to obtain a book for the library.

Annual course literature updates

The teacher who oversees the course is responsible for informing the library of any changes in the course literature before the upcoming semester. For example, the library needs information about new editions or the supplementary reading material used in the course.

Please notify the library about the updates in the course literature:

• no later than 31 May to ensure that the course literature is available at the beginning of the autumn semester.
• no later than 30 November to ensure that the course literature is available at the beginning of the spring semester.

You can still provide the information after these dates; however, the library may not have enough time to process the request before teaching begins. The library requires the literature updates well in advance so that staff can research the availability of the literature, order material from the publishers, and negotiate the licensing terms of the e-resources.

How to make acquisition proposal?

You can send the book and course information to the library using the acquisition proposal form in Helka (login with your University of Helsinki username and password). The following information should be included in the “Reasons for Purchase” field of the form:

• the course code and title
• if the literature is compulsory or optional
• when the course will be implemented
• the number of students enrolled in the course or the number of students participating in the exam

If the teacher wants a copy of the course book for their own use, the library can acquire it with the funds of the unit. More information is availabe in Flamma

Contact information

If you have any questions related to course material, you can contact with the service email address: hulib-textbooks@helsinki.fi or by sending e-mail to subject librarians:

Getting a book in the library collection is a multi-step process that is worth taking the time to do. The library may negotiate with the publisher, for example, over the terms of use and the number of simultaneous users. The library aims to acquire course literature as e-resources that do not limit the number of simultaneous users.

Publishers may offer limited access to the e-material or sell e-books as part of an extensive and expensive package; in these situations, the library will estimate the cost of the acquisition in relation to, for example, the book's usage. The library will obtain a print textbook if an e-version is not available or the printed copy is cheaper. It is not always possible to purchase an individual e-book or an unlimited license to an e-book.

Further information: Collection Policy