Icelandic Collection: A resource for everyone

Author: Katrín Níelsdóttir, Winnipeg, MB

The Icelandic Special Collections at the University of Manitoba have a rich and storied history, tracing their roots back to a time before the establishment of the Icelandic department and the Chair in Icelandic Language and Literature. These collections, which now serve as a hub for students, researchers, and community members, began as a small, dedicated effort to preserve Icelandic heritage in North America.

The early days
In the late 1930s, the University of Manitoba received a library of Icelandic books, donated by the Jon Bjarnason Academy. This private Icelandic school, established in 1913 by cleric Jon Bjarnason, was originally located on Beverley Street in Winnipeg. After Bjarnason's passing, the school was renamed in his honour and later moved to a newly constructed building on Home Street in 1923. When the academy closed at the end of the 1939–1940 school year, it donated its collection to the university, laying the foundation for the Icelandic Special Collections.

Growth through donations
Over the decades, the collection expanded significantly as personal libraries and archives were donated by members of the Icelandic community. These donations brought in rare and unique materials, enriching the collection's breadth and depth. For more than a decade, the Icelandic government contributed to the growth of the collection by diligently sending copies of every book printed in Iceland, even during the turbulent years of World War II. This practice continued until the 1970s, ensuring that the collection remained a comprehensive repository of Icelandic literature and scholarship.

Establishing academic foundations
In 1951, the Chair in Icelandic Language and Literature was established at the University of Manitoba with support from the North American Icelandic community. This marked a turning point for the collection, as it began to directly support academic studies, including Icelandic language instruction, the Icelandic sagas, and Icelandic Canadian literature and folklore. Rare books and manuscripts, some dating back to 1550, became invaluable resources for students and researchers alike.
Today, the physical collection includes 31,264 items, with 29,766 available for circulation and interlibrary loan. Additionally, the archives feature nearly 5,500 unique records linked to the local Icelandic community, accessible through the university's archives catalog.

Adapting to modern needs
The collection has evolved from a repository of historical materials to a dynamic resource centre. While donations of older books have slowed, the collection continues to receive personal records, diaries, and other materials from the descendants of Icelandic settlers. These contributions provide valuable insights for researchers and historians.
To support ongoing acquisitions, the Valuing Icelandic Presence fund finances new purchases. This generous fund ensures the collection remains relevant and accessible to students, scholars, and the broader community. Children's and easy-reading books are now organized separately to help learners of Icelandic practice with appropriate materials. Translations of Icelandic novels, sagas, and academic works remain popular, particularly among book clubs, students, and university classes.

A hub for research and community engagement
The collection now includes an entire section dedicated to movies and music, broadening its appeal and usefulness. Academic works in the collection continue to draw researchers from across North America, and interlibrary loans are now sent throughout the continent. Additionally, the collection receives reference questions from as far away as China, highlighting its international reach and reputation. The archives and rare books are preserved with great care and are made available to visiting scholars. While the Icelandic department has not had a chair in over a decade, limiting graduate programs and local research opportunities, the collection's lively atmosphere endures. Students explore the stacks, community members borrow films and musical scores, and even Marvel comics inspired by Norse mythology find enthusiastic readers.
From its origins as a preservation effort to its current role as a vibrant cultural and academic resource, the Icelandic Special Collections at the University of Manitoba remain a testament to the enduring legacy of Icelandic heritage in North America.