the library began in 1828, when the danish "amtmaður" (governor) christian ludvig tillisch (in office 1825–30) and his "amtsrevisor" jens davidsen began assembling books for a "færø amts bibliotek" (danish, 'faroe county library'). they were assisted by the danish scholar carl christian rafn and by private citizens, and on 5 november 1828 secured an annual grant of funds from the king. in 1831, the collection included 2,860 volumes.