A modern library is rising in Hafnarfjörður.

Looking to the future with plans for a modern library

At its meeting on Wednesday, the Hafnarfjörður Town Council approved the proposals to move the Hafnarfjörður Library from its current premises at Strandgata 1 to new premises at Strandgata 26-30. A binding agreement will be signed between 220 Fjarðar and the City of Hafnarfjörður, based on the “220 Fjarðar' proposal to build up to 6,000 m² a new building on the plot at 26-30 Strandgata, which will connect to the older Fjarðar building at 13-15 Fjarðargata. The works are expected to begin in the new year, with the City of Hafnarfjörður taking delivery of 1,200-1,500 square metres of premises for purchase or lease between 2023 and 2026.

See the minutes of the town council meeting of 25 November 2020. – item 2 

The changing role of libraries – design with user needs in mind

For some time, there has been a proposal to review and transform the premises of the Hafnarfjörður Library, as the current building is considered to be neither organised nor designed with the needs of modern users in mind. The building is spread over 4 floors and 7 levels, with too much space that is of limited use to the library's users. For example, the multi-purpose hall is considered too small for all the potential activities that could take place there. The library receives between 115,000 and 125,000 visitors of all ages annually. According to a survey conducted this summer, residents of Hafnarfjörður have big dreams for their town library. The survey revealed a desire for a café, a play area, comfortable lounges, longer opening hours and a wider range of services. „The Hafnarfjörður Library has evolved into a cultural centre that offers a wide range of events and services alongside the lending of its collection. The current premises hinder further development and strengthening, and so this is an important and, at the same time, extremely exciting step that the municipality is taking with this decision.“ says Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir, Mayor of Hafnarfjörður.

New single-storey premises offer great potential to serve visitors and the public much better, and a larger, more open multi-purpose hall would be of great benefit to both customers and the town's staff. The existing proposals are in keeping with the trend and development seen in new libraries built in Northern Europe, including in Helsinki, Aarhus and Oslo, in recent years. Thus, a great deal of emphasis has been placed on ensuring that, in addition to a good selection of reading and recreational materials for customers, access is available to equipment, tools and facilities that are expensive to purchase, such as 3D printers and vinyl cutters, sewing machines and recording facilities. „Work is now beginning to shape and develop ideas for services and innovations at a new, modern museum, and ideas will be sought from residents, staff and other stakeholders.“ says Rósa.

See the presentation in the minutes of the town council meeting of 11 November 2020.

^{Different options for an extension to the Fjørð shopping centre are under consideration.}

^{First ideas for the new look of Fjarðar Shopping Centre.}