Literature

The museum’s library is named after Professor Ingrid Semmingsen. In 1963 Dr. Semmingsen became Norway’s first female professor of history at the University of Oslo. She was also Norway’s first woman to complete a doctorate in history.  Ingrid Semmingsen was considered the the Nordic countries’ foremost researcher on migration. She wrote a number of books and articles on the subject and had a profound interest in the Emigrant Museum from early on. Ingrid Semmingsen donated many of her own books to the museum, including much of her own manuscript material.

In 1992 the museum’s board decided to name the library Ingrid Semmingsen’s Research Library out of gratitude for her contributions.

The library contains both fiction and non-fictional material covering all aspects of migration. In addition to books, we have yearbooks, newspapers, journals, magazines, and pamphlets from various Norwegian groups and organizations abroad. Here, one can find anything from large scientific publications to virtually unknown poetry, from large edition hardcover books to handwritten pamphlets meant for the author’s closest family and friends.

Almost the entire collection is now catalogued and searchable online.

Our library does not lend out material, but you are welcome to visit us and use the museum’s study facilities. The library is open during ordinary office hours, but please contact us in advance to ensure that someone is available to help you find the literature you are looking for.