Ingólfur Guðbrandsson became known in Icelandic school life for his work at Laugarnes School from 1943 to 1957. The Minister of Education appointed Ingólfur as music director in 1956. Ingólfur received an official grant to study music in Nordic schools, especially in Sweden. The position of singing teachers was poor in those years. Everything was lacking; instruments, study materials and knowledge. Among other things, Ingólfur worked on the publication of an elaborate book of songs, Fimmtíu fyrstu söngvar (Fifty first songs), in 1957. He then published the book again in 1960 with illustrations by Barbara Árnason, and a small record was released with the book. Barbara Árnason's illustrations were meticulous, as was the selection of the songs and the printing of the book. However, there was little understanding of the publication of the book at the time, and its necessity, nor of another book with 200 selected songs for children that Ingólfur had prepared, but was never published.

The book Fifty first songs selected by Ingólfur Guðbrandsson and published in 1960 with illustrations by Barbara Árnason is available on the website baekur.is and is the library's highlight in the month of September.

 An exhibition commemorating the centenary of Ingólfur Guðbrandsson is on display in the library through September.