Kingstown Public Library

Overview

The Kingstown Public Library is the main public library of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, operating under the country's Department of Libraries, Archives and Documentation Services.

History

The library was originally under the charge of the Kingstown Town Board and first located at the Market Square. Following a request for assistance to Andrew Carnegie, construction of a permanent library building began in January 1907 with a grant of two thousand pounds; the building, known as the Carnegie Building, was ready for use in 1909. A National Documentation Centre was established in 1982, and the National Archives in 1990, after which the department became known as the Department of Libraries, Archives and Documentation Services. The Carnegie Old Public Library building was declared a Protected National Heritage Site in 2009.

Collections, Holdings, and Publications

The Department of Libraries, Archives and Documentation Services holds approximately 250,000 volumes across its libraries, archives, and documentation center, including books, pamphlets, periodicals, theses, manuscripts, maps, and non-print material. The library system includes 16 branches across Saint Vincent and the Grenadine islands.

Access and Usage

The library is based in Kingstown, with the Department of Libraries, Archives and Documentation Services headquartered at Richmond Hill, Kingstown.