Strong focus on making students feel at home at RU library

One of Reykjavik University’s top priorities is to provide students with outstanding facilities for learning and teaching. A key part of this is the RU Library, which is open to students 24/7.

The library offers excellent and varied study spaces for students, including individual study booths in designated silent areas, both individual and group seating in areas where conversation is allowed, group work rooms, and cozy lounge chairs.

Primarily A Digital Library

The library gives students access to academic materials and is primarily a digital library, meaning most resources are accessible from anywhere. The entire collection supports the academic disciplines taught at Reykjavik University.

Students can get instruction from the library’s information specialists in areas such as source searching, citation, and referencing. Assistance is also available for formatting academic papers and using Zotero, a reference management tool that simplifies citation work. Ragna Björk Kristjánsdóttir, Director of the RU Library, notes that the earlier students begin using library services, the more independent and successful they become in their studies, producing higher-quality papers.

Ragna also emphasizes the positive atmosphere in the library and the strong focus on making students feel comfortable. As part of efforts to enhance the library experience, major renovations were carried out in 2023. According to Ragna, little had changed in the library’s space since it moved into the Uranus building in 2010, so it was time to make the surroundings a bit nicer.

High Satisfaction with Library Services in RU Student Surveys

“Part of the floor was carpeted to reduce noise. We also replaced furniture to create more diverse spaces. The number of bookshelves was reduced to make room for more student seating. Desk chairs were updated, and the space was restructured to include more distinct zones. At the same time, the entire library was made much cozier with beautiful furnishings and living plants. Dark interiors were replaced with warmer tones, making the library more welcoming than before. Many students spend long hours here, and we do everything we can to make them feel at home,” Ragna explains.

She adds that the staff often see the same students returning again and again, preferring the library over other study areas at RU.

“Usually, it’s quiet and focused here, but at times it gets busier and livelier, especially during project deadlines. During exam periods, the library is used a lot, and the atmosphere becomes more intense—though also quieter, as everyone is focused on studying.”

In recent years, student satisfaction with the library services has been consistently high in RU’s service surveys. In the latest survey conducted in June 2024, an overwhelming majority of students reported being satisfied with the services provided.