New to the library?

Reykjavík City Library has six locations around the city:

Árbær Culture House – see our location on Google Maps

Gerðuberg Culture House in Breiðholt – see our location on Google Maps

Grófin Culture House in downtown Reykjavík – see our location on Google Maps

Kringlan Culture House in Kringlan shopping mall – see our location on Google Maps

Sólheimar Culture House – see our location on Google Maps

Spöngin Culture House in Grafarvogur – see our location on Google Maps

You are welcome to visit any one of our libraries to read and relax or to hang out and meet people - whatever you wish. All of our libraries have free Wi-Fi. Do you need access to a computer, a printer or a scanner? You can use ours for a small fee. 

Do I need a library card?

If you want to check out items from the library, or use Rafbókasafnið, our e-book library, you do need a library card. 

To get a library card you need two things: 2.500 ISK and an Icelandic kennitala (an ID number issued by Registers Iceland).

You can then visit any one of our locations listed above, show your ID, pay the fee and fill out a short form and we will create your brand new library card. 

– Or you can get your card online. Click "Mínar síður" in the upper right corner, choose "Skrá inn með Island.is" using either an IceKey or an e-certificate, and pay the fee online. Take note that the sign-up sheet, as well as all the information on "Mínar síður", is currently only available in Icelandic. 

Library cards are free for children under 18, senior citizens 67 years and older, people with disabilities and people receiving a rehabilitation pension. Free cards cannot be issued online, please visit your local library. A parent or guardian must sign for a child's library card.

How does the card work?

With a library card you can borrow books, magazines, CDs, vinyl, DVDs and other materials at all our locations, and even the Seltjarnarnes and Mosfellsbær public libraries.

The library has a broad selection of fiction and non-fiction in English and many other languages, as well as children's books, comics and so on. Is the book you want not available at your library of choice? Place a hold on it or contact us, and we will have it delivered to your preferred location. 

You can also borrow ebooks and audiobooks from Rafbókasafnið, which is open around the clock!

Please note that the library card may only be used by the cardholder. 

For how long?

Your library card is valid for 1 year. After that, you need to renew your subscription. Hold onto your card; we simply reactivate it.

New books are checked out for 14 days, other books for 30 days, music for 2 weeks and DVDs for 7 days.

Adults may borrow up to 40 items at a time, children up to 15 items at a time.

For info on late fees please see Fees and fines.

More questions?

For more info on fees, terms and conditions, contact us or ask our staff. 

Our Guidelines and Objectives

Reykjavik City Library runs several projects where the goal is to promote intercultural competence and dialogue in society through the arts, creativity and multiple languages. The library is an important gateway to society. The intercultural work we do is based on an interdisciplinary co-operation with a wide range of people and partners across society such as social service centers, schools, cultural institutions, NGOs and individuals from all over the world living in Reykjavík.

The IFLA/UNESCO Multicultural Library Manifesto is used as a guideline in this work. 

We want to:

  • Encourage social integration, understanding and respect.
  • Create a gateway to Icelandic culture and language as well as to other cultures and languages represented in Reykjavik.
  • Enhance immigrants’ language skills in Icelandic through practical communication.
  • Build connections between all citizens of Reykjavik via arts and culture.
  • Create an informative forum of communication for diverse groups in society
  • Make a visit to the library an integral part of the daily lives of immigrants just like other citizens.
  • Break isolation and encourage compassion towards others.

Still have some questions?

Check out our FAQ or send us a message to info@borgarbokasafn.is! We'll answer as soon as possible.