National Library of São Tomé and Príncipe, National library in São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe.
The National Library of São Tomé and Príncipe sits in a modern building in the capital and holds books along with historical documents. The facility offers study space, internet access, and professional support for research work.
The institution was founded in 2002 with Chinese financial support and replaced the older town administration library. It emerged after the country gained independence and represented a fresh start for access to knowledge and information.
The library holds works in Portuguese and serves as a space where reading is encouraged across the community. Visitors encounter books in the language that shapes daily life on these islands.
The building is centrally located in São Tomé and is open during regular business hours for visitors. You can depend on staff to help you make the most of your time there and navigate the collections available.
Since 2015, the library has worked with the University of Minas Gerais to bring Portuguese literature to children in remote villages across the islands. This partnership shows how the institution reaches beyond its walls to help build reading skills in far-flung communities.
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