On display at the manuscript exhibition Viewpoint in the Culture House are seven selected manuscripts from the collection of Árni Magnússon (1663−1730), collector of manuscripts and professor at the University of Copenhagen. All of these manuscripts contain texts from the medieval law codex Jónsbók, written in Icelandic in 1281. Other manuscripts are from collections of the National Library of Iceland and the National Archives of Iceland. Manuscripts preserved at the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies originate from two collections in Copenhagen, the Danish Arnamagnæanske Samling and the Royal Library, and were handed over to the Icelandic nation for preservation in the years 1971−1997. The collection included about 2000 manuscripts and fragments on vellum or flax paper.

The instructor at the Árni Magnússon Institute guides school groups at the Culture House, with presentations and instruction for students at middle and higher compulsory school level as well as secondary school students. The instruction is based generally on the school curriculum, and emphasis is placed on linking instruction on the exhibition with the educational content of each class or level. Tours for university students are tailored to the needs of each individual group.

Through both words and images, students are taught about the oral preservation of the poetry and saga heritage, the writing and preparation of Icelandic medieval manuscripts and their preservation up to the present day. In addition to the literature, history and cultural life of the Icelandic nation, visitors learn about the actual making of books, including the craft of making medieval manuscripts; the production of vellum from calfskin, inks and colours, illustrations etc., as well as cutting a quill for writing, as it was done for centuries.

Enlarged colour photographs show different scripts and the development of writing in medieval and later manuscripts, including the special scribal abbreviations or sigla, such as suspensions, truncations and other condensations that they used extensively in their writing. Students are given the opportunity to try their hand at reading ancient texts, and by doing so they see how little Icelandic language has actually changed over the centuries.

Towards the end of the visit, students are offered an opportunity to try writing with a sharpened quill on specially crafted vellum (calfskin), which has been made using an ancient method, and ink made of bearberry tincture, dark fen ooze (Icel. sorta), crowberries and twigs of Arctic grey willow.

Group tours are offered free of charge if arranged in advance from Tuesday to Friday. The premises can accommodate one class of around 25 students at a time and the tour takes around one hour. For further information on the guidance and bookings, please contact Svanhildur María Gunnarsdóttir, instructor, at the Árni Magnússon Institute of Icelandic Studies: svanhildur.maria.gunnarsdottir [hjá] arnastofnun.is.