Finnish Literature Society Strategy 2018–2022
The Finnish Literature Society (SKS), established in 1831, is a scientific society and cultural organisation. It is a research institution, a publisher of scholarly and non-fiction literature on the humanities, an archive of oral and written culture, and a special research library, as well as a supporter of literature exports and translation.
All rolled into one, SKS forms a unique centre of expertise and infrastructure on the humanities. It works in cooperation with universities and research institutions, scientific societies, cultural memory organisations and cultural exporters, as well as other cultural organisations. SKS’s sections focused on research, archiving and library services, book publishing and literature exports all support each other.
SKS aims to promote, study and publicise Finnish culture – particularly language, literature and folklore. We deepen awareness of the diversity of cultural phenomena. SKS is committed to increasing understanding based on scientific knowledge.
Our operations are based on an appreciation of Finnish culture as part of global culture. SKS promotes awareness of the diversity of culture by producing and communicating knowledge based on research and information assets. The society is aware of the unique nature of its materials, the significance of traditions communicated through history, and the cultural heritage based on the values arising from them. The continuity, weighed formation of knowledge, and expertise built on this basis are the strengths of SKS. Our society’s activities are steered by responsibility and promotional objectives. Our values are expertise, openness and collaboration.
Goals until 2022
Better consideration of our customers: The customer base of SKS has expanded from researchers and students in central fields to the rest of the scientific community involved in the humanities and social sciences, and civil society is taken into account particularly in our collaboration with educational institutions. SKS’s members and stakeholders form the core of its customer base, which enables active development of services, based on dialogue. The needs of our stakeholder groups and collaborators are identified and accounted for in a flexible manner.
Better availability of materials and guaranteeing preservation: Publications of different types are available regardless of place and they are distributed online, in digital format, in addition to traditional ways. The metadata of our archival materials and, as applicable, the actual materials themselves are also available digitally. SKS’s storage facilities correspond with the needs of permanent storage and future accumulation. The premises solutions support both smooth customer service as well as the reception and handling of materials.
Better visibility for experts: SKS and its experts are strongly visible in the fields of science, society and culture, and we support the visibility of operators close to society. The results of the experts’ work will also be visible internationally.
The society is responding to changes in its operational environment and is advancing a culture based on knowledge and expertise. New information is produced and disseminated in cooperation with operators from various fields.
In 2022, SKS will be increasingly well-positioned to reach its customers and develop its services in dialogue with them. Its materials will be increasingly easily available and disposable. Researched data, cultural heritage and literature are making an impact both at home and abroad.
- SKS provides services openly and regardless of place.
- SKS has functional premises and facilities for both customer service and materials.
- SKS guarantees its operational conditions.
Implementation and follow-up
The activities of SKS are guided by the society’s rules. SKS and its sections are tasked with implementing the tasks set by these rules and the society’s strategy. They function as a basis for preparing annual action plans that detail the measures, responsibilities and resources for achieving the objectives of the strategy. The strategy is implemented by SKS’s personnel, and its implementation is monitored by bodies of trust selected by its members. The implementation is monitored in the society’s annual reports.