This thesis is a qualitative study about how library can prevent seniors from social exclusion and loneliness. It has been made for library of Kallio and there has been interviewed two active library users in Kallio. Kallio is a lively neighborhood in the center of Helsinki and its library is thirdly most used library in Helsinki.

The purpose of this thesis is to figure out how different services can create sense of community for aged people and how it therefore can prevent seniors from social exclusion. It’s been also explained why it is important and how it is advantageous to governments affairs.

Theory has been searched from various books and articles about exclusion. There’s been used also statistics about elder people and loneliness. Subjects has been considered how law it describes. Interviews were made as a qualitative study and the focus on how interviewed felt about library and how it may have affected their everyday life.

Library is evolving all the time and it’s becoming more and more like a living room and a social space. Library’s services and liveliness can affect senior’s quality of life as a positive impact. When senior is in good health it happens at library and when not, library services can be brought to individuals home. It is difficult to measure with numbers how library can prevent loneliness, but it doesn’t make it any less important.