PIKI libraries are a network of libraries in Pirkanmaa, based on a cooperation agreement between municipalities. The updated cooperation agreement defines more precisely the decision-making processes and responsibilities, the principles of organisation and cost-sharing, the responsibilities related to the library system and the customer register, and Tampere's role as the central municipality of the PIKI cooperation. A new annex on joint procurement has also been added to the agreement, authorizing the City of Tampere to prepare and sign procurement decisions related to joint procurement. The new agreement updates the previous cooperation agreement, which came into effect in 2012.
– The PIKI regional cooperation will enable all PIKI municipalities to provide high quality library services to their customers, with the participation of library professionals from the whole region in their development and maintenance. Services can be delivered in a cost-effective and planned way, says Niina Salmenkangas, Director of Library Services.
The public libraries of Finland's municipalities work together as voluntary library clusters, often consisting of libraries that are physically close to each other. There are more than 20 library cooperatives in Finland, the largest of which are Helmet in the Helsinki metropolitan area and PIKI in Pirkanmaa.
The most common forms of cooperation are a common library system, an online library and a library card. Libraries' collections are broader, more balanced and more varied when more libraries participate in their development and maintenance. A common collection also allows for cost-effective centralisation of expertise.
The PIKI libraries are managed by a PIKI libraries Management group, which is chaired by the Director of Library Services of the City of Tampere. The updated agreement clarifies the relationship between the PIKI Management team and the decision-making of the municipalities.
In future, an annual cost estimate for the PIKI cooperation will be prepared for the municipalities' budget preparation and approved by the Steering Committee. The municipalities undertake to set aside in their budgets a sufficient amount to cover the costs of cooperation. Common costs will include, for example, the salaries of the staff coordinating the cooperation and any joint procurement.
A new annex on joint procurement has been added to the agreement, authorising the City of Tampere to prepare and sign the decision on joint procurement. The aim of joint procurement is to achieve planning, efficiency, cost savings and quality. The annex has also sought to take account of the forthcoming reform of the Public Procurement Act and its stricter provisions on affiliated entities.
Binding joint procurements in the context of the joint action include the library system and related services, regional e-resources, regional materials logistics and library cards. The parties may also carry out other joint procurements in which not all parties are required to participate. These include library materials, marketing materials and other possible small purchases.
The updated PIKI Library Cooperation Agreement was approved by the PIKI libraries Management group on 2 April 2026. The updated Cooperation Agreement will come into effect once it has been signed by all parties. For the agreement to come into effect, it must be approved by each of the contracting parties in accordance with their respective decision-making systems. The envisaged date on which the agreement is to come into effect is 1 September 2026 and the agreement is valid indefinitely.
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Updated 22 May 2026, at 8:30 am: The subheading "How the new cooperation agreement will improve the library experience for citizens" has been changed to "How the PIKI partnership improves the library experience for residents".
