National Library Service of Botswana
| National Library Service of Botswana | |
|---|---|
| Ditirelo tsa motlobo wa dibuka tsa Botswana | |
 | |
| Location | 1272 Lithuli Road, Gaborone, Botswana |
| Type | National Library |
| Established | April 8, 1968 |
The National Library Service of Botswana (Tswana: Ditirelo tsa motlobo wa dibuka tsa Botswana) is the legal deposit and copyright library for Botswana. It was officially opened on April 8, 1968. They strive to be a world class library and information hub. The library is considered one of the most centralized in the world, as it is responsible for the professional development for all libraries within Botswana, including academic ones.[1][2]
History[edit]
Being established in September 1967 through the Act of the Botswana National Assembly. President Sir Seretse Khama, the first President of the Republic of Botswana, officially opened the service on April 8, 1968. It was one of seven departments of the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs. Its mission has been to preserve the national literary heritage and to provide the public with informational and educational services.[3]
According to the United Nations, as of 2003 approximately 81 percent of adult Batswana are literate.[4]
Services[edit]
The library offers many services including:
- Mobile Library Service
- Postal Service
- Reference Service
- Book Requests Service
- Children's Service
- Computer Training Service
- International Standard Book Number (ISBN)
- Maps
Divisions[edit]
The library currently encompasses many divisions including:
- Bibliographic Support Services
- National Reference Library
- Public Libraries Division
- Library Service for People with Disabilities
- Projects Research and Publications
Programs[edit]
The library currently offers many programs to its patrons, including:
- Reading Club
- Homework Assistance
- Youth Computer Training
- Braille
- Annes Stine
- Bana Ba Dinonyane
- Motswedi Rehabilitation Center
- Life-Line
- Storytelling
- Art and Craft
- Health Talk
- Sesigo
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Baffour-Awauah, Margaret (2000). "Margaret Baffour-Awuah, principal librarian, Gaborone, Botswana: a day in her life". School Libraries Worldwide. 6 (1): 22–26.
- ^ "libraries.org: Botswana National Library Service". librarytechnology.org. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
- ^ BROTHERS, SUE COKER (1991). "The Development of Botswana's National Library Service". Botswana Notes and Records. 23: 69–81. ISSN 0525-5090.
- ^ "Adult literacy rate, population 15+ years (both sexes, female, male)". UIS.Stat. Montreal: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
Bibliography[edit]
- Margaret Baffour-Awuah, Principal Librarian, Gaborone, Botswana: A Day in Her Life
- "Botswana", World Report 2010, The Hague: International Federation of Library Associations, OCLC 225182140,
Freedom of access to information
(Includes information about the national library)
External links[edit]
- Page on the Ministry of Youth, Sport & Culture
- http://www.sesigo.org.bw/
- https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000089700
- https://librarytechnology.org/libraries/search.pl?ILS=Symphony&Country=Botswana
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