National Library of Vanuatu Vanuatu Cultural Centre

Overview

The National Library of Vanuatu is the national library of the Republic of Vanuatu, operating as a division of the Vanuatu Cultural Centre (Vanuatu Kaljoral Senta). It is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and providing access to literature and information related to Vanuatu, the Pacific region, and broader subjects of interest to the public and scholarly community.

History and Founding

The National Library operates under the Vanuatu Cultural Centre, which was founded in 1955 (with some sources citing formal establishment in 1959–1960). The current combined National Library and National Archives building was opened in August 2013, designed in traditional Melanesian style as part of the Vanuatu National Cultural Council Complex. Richard Shing has served as director.

Collections and Holdings

The library's Vanuatu Collection includes works in Bislama, French, English, and vernacular languages, covering Vanuatu's customs, culture, social, economic, political, and religious life, as well as the land, natural environment, and history. The library uses the Vanuatu Cultural Thesaurus and the Sears List of Subject Headings for cataloguing. Holdings include books, periodicals, and reference materials on Pacific topics. The library participates in the Vanuatu Cultural Information Network (VCIN), a digital database integrating collections across the VKS.

Access and Usage

The library is open to the public from Monday to Friday; users are advised to contact the institution ahead of visits, as hours may vary. Access is free for general reference use. The National Library collaborates with national and international institutions for resource sharing and preservation.