The geographic emphasis is primarily on Iceland and Icelanders in North America although material on Scandinavia, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and the Arctic is also included. Unique items include the first bible published in Iceland in 1584. An extensive collection of Icelandic serials, and serials pertaining to Icelanders in Canada, is included. Manuscript material on Icelanders in Canada is also present. The personal libraries of two of the Icelandic Canadian community's foremost poets, Stephan G. Stephansson and Guttormar J.Guttormsson, form part of the collection.
Scientific material is marginal.
Present acquisition plans are to continue collecting published materials on Iceland in all subject fields and languages. All material by and about Icelanders in North America will also be collected. Gaps in the collection of pre-1800 material about Iceland will be filled as funds become available. Language Icelandic language material predominates. Material on Iceland in other languages, primarily English, French, German, and other Scandinavian languages, is being collected to broaden the language base.