National Library of South Africa, Cape Town, South Africa
S 33° 55.560 E 018° 25.139
34H E 261411 N 6243048
This library is located within the grounds of The Company Gardens, in Cape Town.
Waymark Code: WMJ7AA
Location: Western Cape, South Africa
Date Posted: 10/05/2013
Views: 4
This library is tasked with the duty of primary resource custodian of documentary heritage of South Africa; it has the responsibility to collect and preserve published documents and allow for them to be accessed by interested parties worldwide. It contains a collection of techinical reports, rare manuscripts, books that were published in Africa, maps, governmental publichations, periodicals, newspapers, old historic photos etc, and multiple formats including printed, CD, DVD, digital and online. Sir George Gray's collection of books is part of the collection at the Cape Town branch.
The National library has 2 brick-and-mortar locations, one in Pretoria and this one in Cape Town which recently received a $50-million renovation. The Cape Town library has 40 computers, free internet access, a huge selection of books and a large children's collection, plus a Music and Performance Arts Library and Art Library. It has resources in all 11 of the African languages. The renovation of the Cape Town library was funded by a $2 million ($R15-million) grant from the Carnegie Corporation in the United States, plus $36.6-million from the City of Cape Town. Carnegie Corporation has pledged an additional $2.496 million over the next 3 years for additional upgrades.
ABOUT THE BUILDING:
The structure in Cape Town that houses the library is a huge Edwardian building, which contains not only the library, but also venues which may be rented. The front of the library faces The Company Gardens. It was designed by architect WH Kholer and built between 1854-57, using a design that was patterned after Cambridge's Fitzwilliam Museum, with a grand 8-column portico.
SOURCES:
nlsa.ac.za/index.php
(
visit link)
and
www.capetown.gov.za/en/parks/Pages/TheCompanyGarden.aspx
(
visit link)
Visit Instructions:As a suggestion for your visit log, please make every effort to supply a brief-to-detailed note about your experience at the Waymark. If possible also include an image that was taken when you visited the Waymark. Images can be of yourself, a personal Waymarking signature item or just one of general interest that would be of value to others. Sharing your experience helps promote Waymarking and provides a dynamic history of your adventures.