he National Library Service of Barbados is governed by the Government of Barbados through the Prime Minister’s Office.
The main branch and headquarters for the Barbados Library Service is located in the capital city Bridgetown at the old Modern Living Building in Speedbird House, which is situated in the Independence Square area.
The Barbados Public Library was originally established in the 1840s and was located on the West Wing of the Parliament Buildings during the earlier part of the 20th century.
The library has an impressive reference section with a well preserved heritage collection, stored in both print and non-print formats, dating as far back as the 18th century.
HISTORY
After an Act was passed in 1847 to establish a Public Library and a Museum in Barbados, the Literary Society and the Library Association donated their books to form the first Public Library, which was located in a house in Coleridge Street, known as the 'New Town Hall' and was once owned by William Codd.
This location became inadequate for a public library and had to be temporarily relocated to the Public Buildings and eventually to its official home next to the Old Law Courts Building.
Also located in historic Bridgetown, is the Old Public Library building at Coleridge Street, which started construction in 1904 and was built of coral stone, featuring English Renaissance architecture.
It was officially opened on January 25th 1906 by the then Governor, Sir Gilbert Thomas Carter. This project was made possible through a grant donated by Andrew Carnegie, a Scottish-American philanthropist, with the understanding that it should always be a free library.
Due to structural and health issues with this building, the Library had to be closed for two years before re-opening in December 2008 at its new Independence Square location.
FYI
In 1977 a Literary Society was created in Barbados.
In 1814 a Library Association was established in Barbados.
The old property is now part of Historic Bridgetown & its Garrison area…A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Click here for Tours of the Bridgetown Historic Area…
The new Public Library building has less space but the reading room is bigger and all the sections remain the same.
The new 3-story library is now equipped with 15 new computers, which are Internet and word processing ready. It is also expected to be fully computerized with a new digital registration system and full online public access in the near future.
Registered Library Membership
- Children under 10 years – allowed to borrow a maximum of (2) books per visit
- Children 10 to 18 years – allowed to borrow a maximum of (3) books per visit
- Adults – allowed to borrow a maximum of (6) books per visit
The Barbados Library Service (8) Branches & Opening Hours:
BRANCH: Bridgetown - Independence Square, St Michael – PH: (246) 435 3382
Opening Hours: MON to SAT: 9am – 5pm
BRANCH: Oistins – Oistins, Christ Church – PH: (246) 428 7666
Opening Hours: MON to FRI: 10:30am – 6pm / SAT: 9am – 1pm
BRANCH: St Peter – Speightstown, St Peter – PH: (246) 422 2311
Opening Hours: MON to FRI: 10:30am – 6pm / SAT: 9am – 1pm
BRANCH: St James – Holetown, St James – PH: (246) 432 1818
Opening Hours: MON to FRI: 10:30am – 6pm / SAT: 9am – 1pm
BRANCH: Eagle Hall – Eagle Hall, St Michael – PH: (246) 427 3045
Opening Hours: MON to FRI: 10:30am – 5:30pm
BRANCH: St John – Gall Hill, St St John – PH: (246) 433 1522
Opening Hours: MON to FRI: 10:30am – 5:30pm
BRANCH: St George – The Valley Resource Centre, St George – PH: (246) 429 4029
Opening Hours: MON to FRI: 10:30am – 5:45pm
BRANCH: St Philip – Six Cross Roads, St Philip – PH: (246) 423 6557
Opening Hours: MON to FRI: 10:30am – 6pm
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Contact Info
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