A new chapter begins in the history of the library
A new chapter begins in the history of the Hafnarfjörður Library when it opens in its new premises in Firði, just after the Bank Holiday weekend. There, the town's residents will find a bright, welcoming and vibrant library for all age groups. The library opens at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, 5th August, and just over a week later, on Thursday, 13th August, there will be an opening celebration for all interested, with a programme that will fill every space with life.
„We look forward to bringing the new collection to life.“
A new chapter begins in history Hafnarfjörður Library when the museum opens in its new premises in Firði, just after the Bank Holiday weekend. There, town residents can look forward to a bright, welcoming and lively museum for all ages. The museum has been closed since May for its move to new premises on the second floor of Firði. The opening was scheduled for July, but it has been delayed by a few days due to the scale of the move. The museum will open at 9 a.m. on Wednesday 5 August, and just over a week later, on Thursday 13 August, there will be an opening celebration for all interested, with a programme that will bring all the spaces to life. Sigrún Guðnadóttir, the museum's director, has led the move with her strong team. What does she have to say about the move, the new space, and what awaits visitors?
How has the move gone?
„This has been both a big and a fun project. It is not every day that a library over a century old moves to new premises. It is one thing to move furniture and equipment, but quite another to relocate an entire library with all its collections, services and activities. Everything needs to be packed, labelled, arranged, installed and every little detail considered. Our staff, both within the library and beyond, have done an incredible job and everyone has put a great deal into the project. The staff know the collection, the stock and the borrowers best, and that knowledge is vital when shaping a new space. The Film Library and the National Library System also played a huge part in this. This has been a collaborative effort by many, and it will be a great pleasure to finally open our doors again.“
What will be new in the collection?
„People will come into a brighter, more open and accessible museum. We will have better space for children, families, young people, reading, events and creative work. Books will remain at the heart of what we do, but the library will also be a vibrant community space. Over recent years, we have been developing the library in line with the changing needs of the community. A library today is not just about borrowing books, but also about access to knowledge, technology, facilities and community. We are also now increasing our opening hours, and will be open until 7 p.m. every weekday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at weekends. We will also now be open on Sundays.“
What are you most looking forward to?
„I'm most looking forward to seeing people come in. To see children finding books, families exploring the new space, and local residents sitting down, reading, chatting and enjoying themselves. That's when the library comes to life. We have long seen the library as a place for everyone. In the new premises, we will have better facilities to develop that role even further. It will be easier to hold a variety of events, welcome groups, offer educational programmes, story times, courses, creative activities and a cultural programme.“
What would you like to say to the people of Hafnarfjörður?
„We look forward to welcoming you. This is all of our collection and we hope that people will come, look and take part in filling the new space with life.“
The move of the Hafnarfjörður Library to its new premises in Firðir marks a milestone in the library's history and in the town's cultural life. The library has been a part of the lives of the people of Hafnarfjörður for over a century and is now taking the next step as a modern, open and vibrant hub for residents of all ages. Here, generations, ideas and stories meet; children take their first steps into the world of books, students find a quiet space for their studies, and residents seek knowledge, inspiration and a place to socialise.
An open, accessible and lively platform
The library's vision is to be an open, accessible and vibrant hub for knowledge, culture, creativity and conversation. It should be a place where people of all ages can find their own space — whether they come to read, learn, work, create, meet others or simply enjoy being there. A new building provides an opportunity to further develop the service in line with the needs of the community and to strengthen the library's role as the heart of cultural and community life in Hafnarfjörður.
„The first major event at the new museum will be the fancy dress and games gathering. Earths and Heavens, 4th-6th September and then a very large number of visitors can be expected. Last year, around 10,000 visitors attended the festival. We can start to look forward to it.“ Sigrún says at last.