National Library Service of Botswana

Overview

The Botswana National Library Service (BNLS) is Botswana's legal deposit and copyright library, responsible for developing a nationwide library and information system and coordinating professional standards across the country's libraries, including academic institutions. It operates as a government department, today under the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture.

History

The service was established in September 1967 under an act of the Botswana National Assembly, shortly before independence, and was officially opened on April 8, 1968 by Sir Seretse Khama, Botswana's first president, as one of seven departments of the then Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs. It was formally constituted under the National Library Services Act (Cap. 58:02) of 1967.

Collections, Holdings, and Publications

As Botswana's legal deposit repository, BNLS collects and preserves the country's documented literary and cultural heritage and maintains a national bibliographic control system. It provides public library, educational library, and special library services, including services for people with disabilities, through a national network of branch libraries and village reading rooms.

Access and Usage

Membership is open to citizens and non-citizens, who register with photographs and identification at their nearest branch. Services include book lending, interlibrary loan, community information, periodicals, and free public internet access at connected branches nationwide.