National Library of Mozambique, National library in KaMpfumo district, Maputo, Mozambique
The National Library of Mozambique is a public library on 25 de Setembro Avenue in the KaMpfumo district of Maputo, housed in a colonial-era building. It holds collections of books, documents, and periodicals, and offers reading rooms, study areas, and a digital catalogue.
The building was constructed in 1961 to serve as the Finance Office of colonial Mozambique, giving it an administrative origin. After independence in 1975, it was repurposed to become the country's main public library.
The library regularly hosts exhibitions that feature works by Mozambican writers, giving visitors a direct look at local literary life. It also maintains a dedicated section for children's literature, which reflects a long-standing effort to encourage reading from an early age.
The library sits on one of Maputo's main avenues in the city center and is easy to reach on foot or by public transport. Weekday visits tend to give access to the full range of reading rooms and services.
Although the building was designed for administrative work, its former office rooms have been converted into reading areas, and the original floor plan is still partly recognizable. This makes it one of the few colonial-era buildings in Maputo that remains in active daily public use.
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