The National Library of Vanuatu is physically situated within the National Museum building. It houses two special collections, the Pacific and Vanuatu Collections. The Vanuatu Collection provides materials about Vanuatu in English, French and the national language, Bislama. The Pacific Collection contains materials about the rest of the Pacific. A Linguistics section offers materials in and about many of the 113 vernacular languages.
The mission of the National Library is to collect and preserve all literature pertaining to and published about Vanuatu
Rare and special items include anthropological and archaeological materials, art and arts references, autobiographical records and biographies, a large section of works on the languages of Vanuatu, mission histories, oral traditions, cultural, historical and political records, journals, newspapers and periodicals published in or about the Pacific region and Vanuatu and many more.
The mission of the National Library is to
• Collect and preserve all literature pertaining to and published about Vanuatu, thus activating and upholding the Deposit of Books Act (1988, revised) - all additions and donations of Vanuatu materials will be most gratefully received.
• To encourage and enhance public access to the Collections, thus maintaining and developing a sense of national pride in our literary cultural heritage; and
• To act as a specialised information service and educational tool in assisting Library users of all ages to access and use reference and other resources for their general and educational benefit and enjoyment.
The Library is currently developing its electronic catalogue so it may be readily accessed on an up-to-date electronic network throughout the islands of the archipelago, and also to the wider world.
The Library is open to the general public for browsing, reference and research on every weekday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30p.m.
