The book Tímanna safn  is about selected treasures preserved in the National and University Library of Iceland. The book reflects a diverse collection and covers books, manuscripts, personal documents, magazines and records. The book is published on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the library building, but in 1994 the National Library and the University Library merged under one roof.

However, the library has a history that goes back to 1818 when the Landsbókasafn, which at first was called the Stiftsbókasafn, was founded. In these more than 200 years, the library has grown and the activities have changed.

With the book, the intention is to shed light on the diversity of the library. In it, attention is drawn to material that has been little discussed before, mixed with better-known treasures in the library´s  selection. Photographs of each item of choice are published along with a text describing it. The authors of the text are both current and former employees of the library. An exhibition of selected treasures has been opened in the library.