Mission and Objectives

Reykjavik City Library is an information- and cultural institution that operates in accordance with current public library acts.

Vision (until 2010)
Reykjavik City Library should be on an equal footing with the best public libraries in the world, as regards equipment and services and support culture in an international environment.

Main objectives
1. Reykjavik City Library should be accessible to all of Reykjavik's citizens
Ways to achieve objective:
-Library branches and the bookmobile create a net of service throughout the city.
-Opening hours fit working people.
-Good access for physically disabled people and a homebound service for those who cannot come to the library because of disabilities, old age or other circumstances.
-The library's homepage should always have clear and correct information about the operation. 
-Through a mutual contract between Reykjavik City Library and the libraries of the neighbouring municipalities Mosfellsbær and Seltjarnarnes, people in these communities have better access to library services than otherwise. A library branch will be opened in Árbær.

2. Visiting the library should be a part of daily life for the people of Reykjavik
Ways to achieve objective:
-The premises should be inviting and well kept.
-The library provides professional information services to individuals, firms and institutions.
-The City Library offers information on life and work in Reykjavik, on the City of Reykjavik, official institutions and their services. Each branch collects and provides information about the relevant neighbourhood. 
-The library should be marketed as a place of culture, learning and entertainment for all.
-Programs for the whole family should be offered.

3. The operation of the library is marked by an open-mindedness and respect for people of different origins
Ways to achieve objective:
-Cooperation with the Intercultural Centre in Reykjavik.
-A team that deals with services for immigrants operated within the library and different cultures introduced to the team.
-Material in foreign languages available at the library. Cooperation with other public libraries in the country in order to plan how best to offer material for small language groups.
-An international children's library should be developed (by gifts) in cooperation with others.
-Programs for people of different origin.

4. Visits to Reykjavik City Library should be a part of the cultural upbringing of children and teenagers
Ways to achieve objective:
-Library visits for school children and a good connection with the schools in Reykjavik.
-Story hours for young children as a weekly event and other programs offered, such as puppet theatre and music programs.
-Special projects for children and teenagers, such as writing workshops.
-A collection that appeals to children and teenagers.
-An emphasis on reading promotion for children and teenagers as well as information literacy.

5. Icelandic literature promoted both in Iceland and abroad
Ways to achieve objective:
-The literature web, www.bokmenntir.is and www.literature.is, that introduce contemporary Icelandic authors, maintained and updated.
-Programs that focus on literature; cooperation with others that promote literature, through for instance literary festivals and various programs that introduce modern fiction.
-Icelandic literature introduced at the library and the demand for Icelandic fiction should be met.
-The library takes part in cultural tourism by introducing Icelandic literature to travellers from abroad.
-Scenes from Icelandic fiction in Reykjavik marked.

6. The collection should meet the wishes and needs of customers
Ways to achieve objective:
-The collection should meet highest demands for quality and variety, both as regards types of material (non-fiction, fiction) and form (printed, digital). The collection should appeal to people of all ages. The needs of people with disabilities should be taken into account when material is chosen.
-The bulk of the collection should be lent out, but there should be facilities at the library to use other types of material, through the Internet for example.
-Staff should make an effort to follow closely what is published in Iceland and abroad. The   participation of the staff in general when choosing new material ensures variety.
-Customers can make suggestions about new purchases.
-Professionals in different fields will be consulted about new purchases.

7. Reykjavik City Library should have content and qualified employees that do their job in an excellent way
Ways to achieve objective:
-Regular courses and educational events for all the staff and continuing education encouraged on an individual basis, according to needs. Good training for new employees.
-Employees have a say about their own work as much as possible and can balance their work and   personal life.
-The staff handbook insures that employees do their job with confidence and in a professional way. Written work-processes.
-Employees should be content in their jobs and there should be a low staff turnover.

8. Reykjavik City Library should be operated in a democratic and open way and the staff should influence the operation
Ways to achieve objective:
-General staff involvement in group work and meetings, thus insuring that the staff in general influences the library's operation and direction.
-A good flow of information within the library and good access for employees to their superiors.
-Meeting rapports and other material concerning the library's operation available for all the staff.
-Mailing lists, both a list for all the staff and for individual branches.

9. Good use of funding
Ways to achieve objective:
-Operational cost within the given budget.
-Operational cost that can be compared to those of the best public libraries in the Nordic countries.
-Service contracts reviewed on a regular basis.
-A good turnover of library collection.