From 1919 to 1 August 2006, it was known as the Helsinki University Library (Finnish: Helsingin yliopiston kirjasto).

By Finnish law, the National Library is a legal deposit library and receives copies of all printed matter, as well as audiovisual materials excepting films, produced in Finland or for distribution in Finland.

[3] The library also maintains the online public access catalog Finna [fi].

The oldest part of the library complex, designed by Carl Ludvig Engel, dates back to 1844.

The newer extension Rotunda, designed by architect Gustaf Nyström, was completed in 1906.