Hafnarfjörður library expands into cultural centre

Hafnarfjörður Library has moved into larger premises designed to broaden its services and improve access to books, learning and leisure, mbl.is reports. The library’s director, Sigrún Guðnadóttir, said libraries remain important as shared “third spaces” where people can read, study, talk, play games and take part in cultural activities.

The library opened its new premises on the second floor of the Fjörður shopping centre in early August. The entire collection is now located on one floor covering about 1,700 square metres, making its operations more practical than at the previous location.

The library receives about 125,000 visits a year, and attendance is expected to increase following the move. The new facility includes spacious workshops, a music and podcast recording studio, workspaces and halls for a range of cultural activities that can serve as a meeting place for the whole family.

Hafnarfjörður Library has a history spanning 102 years. It was previously located at Mjósund and then at Strandgata 1 for the past 22 years. Preparations for the move took several years, during which municipal authorities considered various options before selecting Fjörður, in the centre of the town.

The design focused in particular on providing a spacious children’s section and a large multipurpose hall. The facilities were designed by the architecture firm Ask.

“The children’s section has always been well attended, and its work is a priority for us,” Guðnadóttir said. The library regularly hosts storytelling sessions attended by children from preschools, as well as science-themed treasure hunts that also introduce children to the library.

She said the library’s broader role was to help equalise people’s access to entertainment and knowledge. Visitors can borrow not only books, but also video games, game consoles, baking tins, sewing machines, board games, small tools and other items.

The library’s collection contains about 80,000 books and other materials, both old and new. It aims to acquire at least one copy of every new Icelandic book, as well as additional copies of the most popular titles. It also buys books in foreign languages, including English, Nordic languages and Polish.

About 20 per cent of Hafnarfjörður’s approximately 32,000 residents hold citizenship other than Icelandic, according to Guðnadóttir. A Polish-speaking employee provides services to this group and helps find suitable books.

The library also holds a festival each year on the Saturday closest to 11 November, Poland’s national day, featuring activities connected with Polish culture and history.