Who We Are
Learn more about our history, mandate, and services
Our History
Library services in The Gambia began in 1944 when Bishop Daly established a subscription library.
Two years later, in 1946, the British Council opened a public library at Independence Drive (now the National Museum).
In 1975, the British Council officially handed over the library to the Government of The Gambia, marking the establishment of the present-day National Library Service. Since then, the institution has continued to evolve, serving as the central hub for information access, research, and literacy promotion across the nation.
Our Mandate
The Gambia National Library Service Authority Act of 2009 formally established the library under the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) as a semi-autonomous public institution.
Our core functions include:
Promoting literacy and lifelong learning for all Gambians.
Establishing and maintaining public libraries across the country.
Preserving the nation’s intellectual and cultural heritage through proper documentation and archiving.
The Library Service continues to expand access to knowledge and information resources for students, researchers, and the general public.
Quick Facts
1 library branch nationwide
500,000+ yearly visitors
Over 1 million books and information materials
Our Vision
To be the leading library authority in The Gambia
Our Mission
To empower the nation through knowledge and heritage
We offer a wide range of services designed to meet the educational and informational needs of our communities — from lending services and digital resources to literacy programs and cultural preservation initiatives.
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1944
Bishop Daly establishes the first subscription library
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1946
British Council opens a public library at Independence Drive
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1975
Current National Library structure established
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2009
Gambia National Library Service Authority Act enacted