Jón Árnason was a librarian at the National Library of Iceland from 1848 to 1887. He was the first employee of the library but before that the board of the library had taken care of it as a side job. The library was officially established in 1818 and opened for use in 1825. It was housed in the Cathedral loft until 1881 when it moved to the House of Parliament.

Jón Árnason received book donations to the library, including from abroad, but many organizations and individuals sent the library publications, especially on the occasion of the 1000th anniversary of the settlement of Iceland in 1874. Book registration was the most extensive part of Árnason´s  work and here are preserved numerous registrations in the museum's archives and two printed records; one list in manuscript from 1849 and then a list of books given to the library in 1874.

That publication is the highllight of the month of September, on the occasion of the fact that 150 years have passed since these book gifts in connection with the 1874 national festival.

The record of books given to the National library in 1874 is accessible here.