National Library of Chad Bibliothèque nationale du Tchad

Overview

The National Library of Chad (Bibliothèque nationale du Tchad) is Chad's national library, located in N'Djamena. It is affiliated with the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports (Ministère de la Culture, de la Jeunesse et des Sports). The library serves as the country's principal repository for published works and provides library services to researchers and the public.

History and Facilities

Since November 2010, the National Library has occupied a modern two-story building in the Amriguibe district, adjacent to an identical building that houses the Chad National Museum, situated opposite the Palais du 15 Janvier (seat of the National Assembly). The library and museum were inaugurated together in 2010. The institution's holdings are limited given the broader challenges of library and information infrastructure in Chad.

Collections

The library collects, catalogs, classifies, and preserves documentary production published in Chad and from abroad. Its collections include books, periodicals, and documents in French and Arabic, the two official languages of Chad. The institution faces significant resource constraints typical of national libraries in low-income countries.

Access

The library is open to the public and researchers. Reading room hours vary. The institution does not currently maintain an active public website.