Record Number of Visitors to our Library in 2025

A big year for Hafnarfjörður Library

“Heimar og himingeimar stood out in the year 2025. Attendance at this costume and gaming gathering exceeded our brightest expectations. We say 10,000 and we know that is certainly not an overestimate,” says Sigrún Guðnadóttir, director of Hafnarfjörður Library, when asked to name the highlight of the year.

“The worlds are a manifestation of new times in the country’s libraries. The adventures of the books come to life. Everyone has their place and their world here,” says Sigrún. “The festival is here to stay and will next be held the first weekend of September at our new library in Fjörður.”

Yes, a big year lies ahead. The library is moving to Fjörður, expanding, modernizing, and will, as before, be a popular place to stop by.

More people visited the library

“The number of visitors was 126,000 this year, an increase of 19%,” says Sigrún about attendance at the library. “Loans were 128,000 and increased by 4%.” That is not the only increase the library saw this year. Attendance at events increased by 81% year over year.

“These are all our events; family hours, story times, authors visiting. All kinds.”

Sigrún mentions more successes during the year. The library was on the move and visited Vísindavakan at Harpa. “There Hugrún Margrét was present with her themed boxes, her own entrepreneurial initiative here that has been a great success. A fantastic project that goes into the city’s schools and preschools. All slots fully booked and, for example, 3,000 people visited our corner at Vísindavakan.”

Work that reaches far and wide

The reporter feels that the director is now forgetting one key highlight of the year. The Polish honorary recognition that she and Katarzyna Chojnowska, Kasia, a former employee of Hafnarfjörður Library, received for the Polish cultural events and the work at the library. Sigrún is proud, and Sylwia Zajkowska has now taken over the position at the library.

“We keep Polish culture alive. Sylwia looks to the present and to what, for example, Polish artists are doing in Iceland. That is wonderful,” says Sigrún.

“Yes, we will continue along the same path and give all residents of the country the opportunity to come to the library. We look forward to welcoming the people of Hafnarfjörður and visitors to our new library in Fjörður. This will be a cultural center, where we meet and spend good times together.”