Papua
New Guinea
Directory Information
Formal Name: National Library
Service
Name of Librarian: Otto Kakaw
Address:
POB 5770, Boroko
Phone: 675-256200 Fax:
251331
History
The National Library Service (NLS) was established in 1975 in the capital,
Port Moresby. Under the Copyright Act of 1978 and the Statutory Deposit
Act of 1979, it constitutes one of the country's three
depository libraries. In 1978 the NLS moved
into the new National Library building, an independence gift
from Australia, where some 45,000 volumes are housed.
Collections
The NLS incorporates the National Film Library, which had 4,000 films
and 600 videos in 1985, the School Libraries Service, and the three
public libraries in the National Capital District. It provides centralized
processing and advisory services to public, school, and
government libraries. The NLS houses a notable New Guinea collection
and produces the Papua New Cuinea National Bibliography. Development
of the NLS has been hindered by its limited budget. The
Library Council of Papua New Guinea promotes cooperation and
exchange of views among the nation's librarians.
Sources:
World guide to libraries. New York: Saur, 1998.
World encyclopedia of library and information services. 3rd ed.
Chicago: American Library Association, c1993.