The National Library was founded in 1828 as an independent institution. Later, in accordance with the Home Rule Act, it came under the control of the Faroese Government, and now operates under the Faroese Parliamentary Act of 2002. The National Library has three main functions: to develop a comprehensive collection of all Faroese literature and as much literature as possible written about the Faroe Islands; to be the central library for all of the Faroes; and to be a library for scholars. Printers have a statutory obligation to give the National Library four copies of all printed matter. The Library has the right to receive from printers free extra copies for use in the exchange of books with libraries abroad. The Faroese Department of the Library produces an annual catalogue of all published written material concerning the Faroe Islands. One copy of every item is kept separately in the Faroese Department, and if necessary can be read in the reference library. The Faroese Department is divided into sections devoted to manuscripts, pamphlets, newspapers and periodicals.

Telephone: +298 311626
Fax: +298 318895
Website: http://www.flb.fo/English/english.html