Ingibjörg Steinunn Sverrisdóttir, National Librarian, and Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector of the University of Iceland, recently signed a new collaboration agreement between the National Library of Iceland – University Library and the University of Iceland, which is the national library and the library of the University of Iceland according to Act No. 142/2011.  

The review of the agreement was carried out by the LBS-HBS and UI collaboration committee with the involvement of experts from both institutions. Among the focus areas are strengthening cooperation between the contracting parties, working towards the government's goals for open access to research publications and research data, and for the museum to establish research services for the university community, including to disseminate information about open science and facilitate open access publications. There is also an emphasis on promoting information literacy among students and improving access to electronic collection resources, including in the school's teaching system. 

"A university library is the heart of every university. A powerful library with accessible information systems and databases is an integral part of an international research university that wants to enable its students to tackle the challenges we face today. The agreement is a confirmation of mutual willingness and understanding of the importance of the collaboration over the past decades and for the future," says Jón Atli Benediktsson.

The agreement was signed in the University Council Room of the Main Building. Top row: Representatives of the collaboration committee of the University of Iceland and the University of Iceland-HBS, Halldór Jónsson, Head of the Department of Science and Innovation at the University of Iceland and Róbert Haraldsson, Head of the Department of Education at the University of Iceland, Elín Soffía Ólafsdóttir, Professor of Pharmacy, representative of the University of Iceland on the library board, and Guðrún Tryggvadóttir, Head of Service and Media at the National Library of Iceland – University Library. Front row from left: Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector and Ingibjörg Steinunn Sverrisdóttir, National Librarian. The photo was taken by Kristinn Ingvarsson.