The role of the library is to support and enhance the creativity and distribution of knowledge in Reykjavik University by collecting sources in the University disciplines, making them accessible, and providing our users with quality service.
Service is the essence of the library. The library offers its customers all general library and information services, such as loans, interlibrary loans, and information searches, as well as more specialized services. These include assistance in searching for sources and citing sources, using reference management programs, training in information literacy, a reserve library, and more. The services of the library are mainly intended for the students, instructors, and staff of RU, though everyone is welcome to visit the library during opening hours and use the library collections on the premises.
An information specialist is on hand every weekday to assist with reference work. Patrons are also able to book appointments with an information specialist.
Instructions are one of the key services at the library. The aim is two-folded. Firstly to make our students' information literate, i.e. to be able to search for sources, evaluate the information, and use them responsibly and correctly. Secondly, to introduce the library and the services available to students and staff.
The Reykjavik University library's collection is mainly electronic material and for students and staff to be able to use the material, they need to know how to access it and the access needs to be simple to use and accessible to everyone.
Collaboration with electronic collections is important to the library. The library subscribes to the library system Leitir.is. Leitir is a search engine that includes Gegnir, the union catalogue for Icelandic libraries. Another important collaborative project is the Iceland Consortium for Electronic Subscriptions (hvar.is), managed by the National and University Library of Iceland. Finally, there is the library's participation in Skemman.is and Opinvisindi.is institutional repositories of Icelandic universities, and Iris, the Icelandic research information system.
The library provides its students with various work and study spaces available on first-come first-serve basis: three reading rooms, four group study rooms, study tables for groups and individuals, some with computers and soft seating. Employees can clear tables that have not been used for over an hour. An emphasis is placed on peace and quiet within the reading facilities and on students concentrating on their studies without the disturbance of phone calls and chatter.
Printing and copying facilities are in a printing room outside the library entrance. There, you can print and photocopy in colour and black/white, as well as scan materials. The printing room is open when the building is open.
There are four group study rooms in the library, Ú106, Ú107, Ú108 and Ú109, and they are open while students have access to the library with their RU access cards. A booking screen for reservations is in front of each room.
Rules for the library group rooms:
The Library and Information Services at RU was formally opened in January of 1999 by then Minister of Education, Björn Bjarnason. From the beginning, the library directors have placed great emphasis on electronic resources and excellent services. In 2003 a European Documentation Centre (EDC) opened in the library. The Centre was based on an agreement between the Executive Board of the European Union and the European Law Institute at RU. From 2005, when RU and the Technical University of Iceland merged, the library operated in two locations. First, in Höfðabakki and Ofanleiti, but in spring 2010, in Ofanleiti and Nauthólsvík. The library is located in Uranus on the 1st floor in RU's building in Nauthólsvík. The first director of the library was Sólveig Þorsteinsdóttir who served as such from 1998 - July 2001. The second director was Guðrún Tryggvadóttir from 2001 - 2016. The third was Sara Stef. Hildardottir from 2016 - January 2022. Ragna Björk Kristjánsdóttir is the current director of the library since February 2022.