Bibliothèque Nationale de Côte d'Ivoire National Library of Côte d'Ivoire (BNCI)

Overview

The Bibliothèque Nationale de Côte d'Ivoire (BNCI), or National Library of Côte d'Ivoire, is the national library of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire. It is located in Abidjan, the country's economic capital, in the Plateau district between the Museum of Civilizations and the Ministry of Defense. The BNCI serves as the country's principal repository for national publications and documentary heritage.

History and Founding

The BNCI traces its origins to the Ivorian section of documentation of the French Institute of Black Africa (IFAN), a colonial research institution based in Dakar, Senegal. In 1960, following independence, this section became the Centre National de Documentation (CND). The BNCI received its formal legal status through Decree No. 71-434 of 10 September 1971, signed by President Félix Houphouët-Boigny, who also established it as a body attached to the Department of Libraries and Publications under the Ministry of Education. The current building, a gift of the Government of Canada, was inaugurated on 9 January 1974 by President Houphouët-Boigny.

Collections and Holdings

As of 2002, the BNCI held over 75,000 volumes. Its collections include national publications collected through legal deposit, documentation in the fields of science and culture, and materials relevant to Côte d'Ivoire and the wider African region. The library also operates a children's section, which was reopened in 2008 with support from the Mitsubishi Corporation.

Challenges and Current Status

The library faced severe difficulties as a result of political and funding crises. It was closed in 2006 due to a lack of funding. A new management team began work in February 2008 with the aim of restoring and renewing the institution. As of late 2009, approximately 85% of the building remained closed, with only the children's section operational.

Mission and Access

The BNCI's mission, as defined by ministerial decree, includes collecting, cataloguing, and preserving the national printed heritage; serving as a national documentation and bibliographic information center; publishing a national bibliography; and coordinating library development across the country.