Þjóðarbókhlaða, the library building at Arngrímsgata 3, offers first-class facilities for study and research and easy access to the collections of the National and University Library of Iceland, both online and in print. The Library’s services are spread over four floors. This page describes the services, facilities and collections floor by floor.
1st floor
On the 1st floor: the National Collection, the Manuscript Collection, the Women's History Archives and the reading room
2nd floor
On the 2nd floor: the service desk, loans and information services, and study facilities for groups.
3rd floor
On the 3rd floor: journals, course reserves, final theses, the desk of the University of Iceland Writing Centre and space for quiet work.
4th floor
On the 4th floor: the Audio-visual Collection, the music collection Tónlistarsafn, the Theatre Museum of Iceland and the Centre of Oral History. Music and films are kept here, and there is space for quiet work.
Library café
The Library café is on the 2nd floor of Þjóðarbókhlaða. It seats 65 people.
Lecture hall
The hall has the equipment and facilities for lectures and gatherings, and seats 80. Hire prices are listed in the Library’s fees.
Group study rooms
On the Library’s booking site you can book a group study room on the 3rd or 4th floor of Þjóðarbókhlaða. The rooms seat 6–10 people.
Study rooms
The 26 study rooms on the 3rd and 4th floors are meant first and foremost for scholars, postgraduate students and others who are working on a particular project and need the Library’s material for it
Lockers
There are about 150 lockers in all, where visitors can keep their work materials. Staff at the loans desk on the 2nd floor hand out the keys when you show your library card and pay a deposit.
Study facilities
Þjóðarbókhlaða has first-class study facilities. The Library aims to meet students’ different needs with a variety of places to work
House rules
Rules on facilities, conduct and safety in Þjóðarbókhlaða. Quiet conversation is allowed on the 2nd floor; the 1st, 3rd and 4th floors are completely silent.
CCTV surveillance
The Library’s buildings and grounds are monitored by CCTV cameras for the safety of visitors, staff and the collections. Recordings are kept for 30 days, and anyone who appears in them has the right to view them.