The Icelandic Library for Education Sciences

1908 to Present Day

Abstract

The Education Sciences Library has a history spanning over 100 years, beginning with the arrival of the first books at the Icelandic Teacher Training College in 1908. It has evolved from a small basement collection into a modern university library service. The library has played a key role in the development of teacher education in Iceland, offering professional support to students and staff, promoting information literacy, and providing access to a wide range of educational materials and research resources.

In 2024, the library was merged with the National and University Library of Iceland (Lbs-Hbs), following the relocation of the School of Education at the University of Iceland to the building formerly known as Hótel Saga. The merger required extensive preparation, including the weeding of tens of thousands of items and technical integration. A portion of the library’s collection will be housed in a new branch at Saga, which will serve as a learning materials and children's library.

The article provides a detailed overview of the library's facilities over the years, its user services, collection development, and technological advancements. The merger brought both challenges and opportunities—such as the loss of close ties to the academic faculty, but also increased professionalism and harmonized services for all University of Iceland students.

The library continues as part of a larger, stronger academic library and remains an important contributor to learning, teaching, and research.