Library Services of Fiji LSF

History and Founding

Library Services of Fiji (LSF) traces its origins to a British Council initiative that distributed boxes of books on loan throughout Fiji. In 1972, the Fiji Government assumed administrative responsibility for library services, placing the department under the Ministry of Urban Housing and Social Welfare in 1975. In 1982 it took on the additional mandate of coordinating the development of school libraries. After several administrative relocations, LSF was placed under the Ministry of Information, National Archives and Library Services and subsequently under the Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts, where it remains today.

Collections and Holdings

LSF administers a network of public, municipal, and community libraries across Fiji. As of 2014, Fiji counted approximately 996 libraries in total—14 public and municipal libraries, 27 special libraries, 30 community libraries, 25 academic libraries, and 900 school libraries, with LSF coordinating the public library sector. The department operates branch libraries in Lautoka, Savusavu, and Rakiraki, as well as locations in Suva and Tavua.

Mission and Access

LSF's stated mission is to serve the advancement of literacy, teaching, learning, research, and skills acquisition within Fiji by meeting the diverse information needs of communities, with particular attention to disadvantaged rural communities. Membership is free and open to all residents. The main public library is located at 64 Vuya Road, Nasese, Suva.

Journalism and Media Resources

LSF has worked toward establishing a Fijian National Bibliography (FNB) to document local print heritage, including newspapers and periodicals. The department has also engaged with national deposit legislation discussions to ensure that local publications are systematically preserved.