Guyana’s National Library: Preserving Guyanese History Since 1909

September 15, 2020

Sarika Prasad
4 years ago
0

For generations, libraries have been monumental in the documentation and preservation of history in the form of books, periodicals like magazines and newsletters. Many countries across the globe have various libraries ranging from academic libraries, school libraries, special libraries and public libraries. In a public institution, all of this material is available for lending to the general public. Perhaps the most esteemed public library in Guyana is the National Library, located in the heart of Georgetown. The National Library is the legal deposit and copyright library of Guyana but is also a public lending library and the headquarters of Guyana’s public library service. There are five branches of the National Library spread across the country;

The New Amsterdam Branch Library
The Linden (formerly MacKenzie) Branch Library
The Ruimveldt Branch Library
The Bagotville Branch Library
The Corriverton Branch Library

The National Library was opened in September 1909 with approximately one thousand and five hundred (1500) members. The lending service of the library was opened on 4th April, 1910 with five thousand and seven hundred (5700) lending stock. The National Library currently offers several services including the National Library Services, Public Library Services, The Rural Library Service The Mobile Service and The Prison Service.

The National Library of Guyana – Image Source: https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/images/2009/03/national-library.jpg

History of The National Library of Guyana

Before the institution was named The National Library of Guyana, it was known as the Carnegie Free Library, the Georgetown Free Public Library and the Free Public Library. The library was the initiative of the Scottish American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. His generous donation of seven thousand pounds (£7,000) helped to construct the public library in the then British Guiana.

The Carnegie Free Public Library

The construction of Guyana’s National Library was only one of the projects spearheaded by Carnegie early in the twentieth century. It was also part of a Caribbean-wide library expansion sponsored by Carnegie. A Provisional Committee responsible for the implementation of a proposal for the establishment of a Public Free Library was appointed in 1907, F. M. Hodson, who was Governor of the British Guiana at the time. Funding was provided by Carnegie. The Public Free Library Ordinance, also known as Ordinance No. 12 of 1908, was passed in July, 1907. The Mayor and the Town Council of Georgetown, and to the Combined Court was charged with the upkeep of the library.

The first stone for the foundation of the National Library was laid on 28th April, 1908 and works began. The Carnegie Free Library was opened sometime in September 1909 with a collection of fifty-seven thousand (57000) books. The very first librarian was Emily Murray, who proceeded to serve at the library from 1909 to 1940. The library operated by a closed access system. In this system, the public was separated from the books by an iron grill through which written requests were passed through a tiny window.

The Georgetown Free Public Library (1911-1949)

The Carnegie Corporation of New York commissioned a report in 1934 on the Carnegie libraries in British and American colonies in the Caribbean, which included Guyana. Secretary of the Library Association of the United Kingdom, Ernest Savage was given this task, which resulted in a grant to form a centralized library system. The National Library, now the Georgetown Free Public Library was looped into this. The open-access system was introduced in 1940 which dramatically increased the number of members for they were now allowed to browse the shelves themselves to select their new read.

The Free Public Library (1950-1971)

The Deputy Director of the Eastern Caribbean Regional Library, Mr J. Smeaton visited British Guiana in 1950. The purpose of his visit was to advise the then librarian, Ruby Franker, on the reorganisation of the Public Free Library. In addition, a Rural Library Service was to be developed which would provide library services to areas outside of the major towns and cities of Guyana.

A major amendment was passed by the Government of British Guiana in 1950, called the Public Free Library Ordinance or Ordinance 13 of 1950. As a result, library branches were introduced with the Georgetown Free Public Library being renamed the Free Public Library, and the becoming the designated headquarter for the national public library service.

The first branch to be established was in New Amsterdam and was guaranteed an annual grant of one thousand dollars ($1000). It opened on 23rd April, 1953 with a collection of about two thousand (2000) books. The Linden (formerly MacKenzie) Branch Library was opened in February 1955, with a collection of three thousand and twenty-one (3021) books. The Demerara Bauxite Company provided the building for this branch. The Rural Library Service was introduced in 1950 with advice from Smeaton. The first branch of the Rural Library Centre was established in Hague Village in West Coast Demerara in Region 3 on 27 August 1950. Shortly after, the Rural Library Centres was established in Stanleytown, established in January 1951, Agricola, which was established in May 1951 and Bagotsville in sometime June 1952. Following this, the Essequibo Boys School in February 1953 and the Enmore Government School was opened in May 1954. The prison library service was handed over by the Red Cross to the Free Public Library on 1st December, 1966, shortly after Guyana gained independence and service was extended to the prisons in Georgetown, New Amsterdam, the Mazaruni and Sibley Hall.

The British Ministry for Overseas Development gifted the Public Free Library a mobile library, which led to the establishment of the mobile service. Tucville and Peter’s Hall were the first areas the mobile branch visited. The Library acquired a new bookmobile in 2006 which serviced areas on the East Bank of Demerara and West Banks of Demerara.

The National Library (1972-Present)

The National Library initiated a Building Fund Appeal in 1969 to add a third story to the branch in Georgetown. The British Government were approached for assistance, who donated steel frames for the extension in 1973. The Public Free Library Ordinance was amended in 1972 and saw the establishment of the Public Free Library as a National library. This legislation passed was the Publication and Newspapers Act (Act 4 of 1972) which made the institution a depository of books printed in Guyana. The library also was given the responsibility of producing a Guyanese National Bibliography. So, the library now served as a public library as well as a national library and as a result was once again renamed the National Library. In 1997 extension plans were approved by the Government of Guyana who also funded the work which began in 1998.

Interesting Tip

In an effort to keep up with the modern times, The National Library bought and installed its first computers, followed by internet service in 2002.
There was a series of public readings and discussions based on oral folklore, per tradition in Guyana when the National Library celebrated one hundred (100) years in 2009.

The National Library’s Collection

The National Library was formally opened with a collection of fifty-seven thousand (57,000) books, bought with the budgeted £900. The collection was selected by the librarian of the Westminster Public Libraries, which was requested by the Crown Agents of the Colonies. The library’s collection of books now amounts to some five hundred thousand (500,000). In this collection, there are rare historical documents and manuscripts, a special collection of materials related to Guyana and works of the great Guyanese writers A. J. Seymour and Ian McDonald. In addition to books, and reference material the library also has a substantial collection of local newspapers, which date back to as early as 1972.

Photo By: Keno George (https://dpi.gov.gy/national-library-observes-110-years/#jp-carousel-77364)

Contact Details of The National Library of Guyana

Address: 76/77 Church and Main Streets, Georgetown.
Telephone: (592) 226-2690
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday ( 8:30 am 5:30 pm) and Saturday (9:00 am 1:00 pm)
Admission: Free
Facebook Page: The National Library

Note: Please contact The National Library before attempting to visit due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

About The National Library of Guyana

Situated in the heart of Georgetown, the National Library is in itself a monument of Guyana’s history. The institution underwent numerous name changes, gaining additional responsibilities and titles. However, the library has remained true to its purpose of documenting our history and educating Guyana’s population with the establishment of its five (5) branches. While technology is on the rise, making paper and books obsolete, little can compare to the wonders of indulging in a good book, which you will definitely find at Guyana’s National Library. Our history and much more are preserved in yellowed pages, at your disposal at The National Library.

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Guyana’s National Library: Preserving Guyanese History Since 1909