Smart Work 2025: When You Meet an Alien – An Immersive Word Art Exhibition in Libraries
The Smart Work page presents everyday innovations and success stories developed by the employees of the City of Hämeenlinna.
I participated in a working group that collaborated with library staff from the Lahti AKE region to create a touring, immersive word art exhibition. The idea originated during a remote word art meeting I attended earlier on Teams. The exhibition aims to increase children’s interest in reading, provide families with an art and literature experience, and teach emotional skills (e.g., facing fears). The content is designed to be as accessible as possible, making it suitable for S2 pupils (Finnish as a second language) and special education classes. One objective was also to enhance the word art expertise of library staff in the Lahti AKE region.
The exhibition was hosted at Lammi Library in February, where it was visited by daycare and primary school groups on guided tours, totaling 190 children. Additionally, children were able to explore the exhibition independently and with their families. In autumn 2024, the exhibition will tour other libraries in Hämeenlinna and the Lahti AKE region, bringing these experiences to a large number of families.
Developer
Päivi Ruuskanen, Librarian