As Pretoria began to grow in size, there arose a need for a public library. The first Pretoria Public Library had opened its doors in 1878, but because of ongoing financial problems was closed down in 1890. In 1893 strong public support and a collection of 700 saw another public library arise, this time under the wing of the Staats-Bibliotheek and with the bookstock of the former Public Library. From that time onward until 1964, the State Library performed a dual role as public library and national library.

The first national librarian, the Afrikaans poet Jan Celliers, saw exchange agreements as a means of enriching the State Library's collections. The first exchange agreement was entered into in 1898 with the Smithsonian Institution of Washington in the United States. In terms of the agreement the State Library would receive all American official publications in exchange for two copies of each official publication of the South African republic. 

Entrance hall: Collen Maswanganyi, Mobile for the new millennium people

From the early thirties under the guidance of the visionary national librarian Matthew Stirling, the State Library began to develop the character of a central library for South Africa, taking on functions such as striving for a national library lending system and a centre for bibliographical information.

The creation of the new National Library looks ahead to a revitalising and transformation that will align the new institution with the goals of the new democracy. The new institution was constituted on 1 November 1999. On that day the South Afrucan Library and the State Library ceased to exist as separate entities and became the Cape Town and Pretoria campusses respectively of the National Library of South Africa.
To view images of this impressive new building, visit http://nlsahopta.nlsa.ac.za/galleries/PT%20new%20building/index.html

Reference library: Scroll, Guy du Toit

Outside board room: Embroideries by various artists from Venda: Ester Maswanganyi, Jonas Malaku, Ms Rikhotso