22 Jul 2026

The National Library Service Bill No16 of 2026, which aims to re-enact and update the National Library Service Act is ready for committee stage.

The Bill, seeking to transform the country’s information infrastructure to meet modern technology standard was presented by the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Major General Pius Mokgware in Parliament on Thursday.

In their contributions, Members Parliament agreed that modernising libraries would keep them relevant in the digital age.

Mogoditshane East MP, Mr Letlhogonolo Barongwang said a library was part of every man’s journey in terms of personal development offering access to shared knowledge and diverse perspective.

He said although libraries continued to serve communities, their role in the modern society was limited due to technological advancement.

“This is testament that we are pushing for transformation, shifting from analogue to digital and this will also align our education system to match the international standard,” he said.

Furthermore, he said modern libraries were essential in supporting development and human capital growth, noting that some areas such as Mogoditshane were fast growing and needed developments that could improve the quality of life of the people.

Gabane-Mmankgodi MP, Mr Kagiso Mmusi thanked the Rothschild Family Foundation, through which Mmankgodi residents had benefited from their generous donation of books to the community library.

The family equipped the library with Internet and providing access to critical books which, Mr Mmusi said championed life long learning and was in line with the transformation that the Bill sought to achieve.

He, however wanted to know if there was any strategy in place to ensure continuity, acknowledging the importance of a library as a community hub that provided free and equal access to knowledge.

He welcomed the Presidential Library, saying government should consider expanding it into a big well-resourced centre that would encompass Parliament and among others, military sections.

MP for Selebi-Phikwe East, Mr Kgoberego Nkawana also supported the Bill saying the transformation was long overdue.

He wished the Act once in place, could have a clause that would attract authors to bring their books to libraries and be compensated for their hard work.

Minister Mokgware appreciated the comments and suggestions made by MPs, noting that they would be taken into consideration.

With regard to the Presidential Library, he said the intention was to have one centre, which would have sections under one roof, citing that the model was doing wonders in other countries.

The envisaged library, he said, was to be built in Gaborone as part of the city tourism initiative.

Earlier on when presenting the Bill, Minister Mokgware said government had found the need to review the National Library Service Act of 1967 in a bid to revive national libraries. He said this would assist in aligning national libraries to latest developments in the library and information landscape across the world.

He said the National Library Service Bill No 16 of 2026 sought to address emerging issues in the information sector since the existing legislation was not adequate to operationalise its implementation.

Maj. Gen. Mokgware said some factors, which called for review of the Act were digital transformation, inclusion of People with Special needs, inclusion of legal deposit collections through diverse languages, recognition of libraries as central points to provide windows for access to public services and knowledge centres offered by government ministries and departments, establishment of a Presidential Library as well as enforcement of compliance by introducing new penalties.

The National Library Service Act of 1967 was revised in 1978. The Department of National Library Services managed 105 service points including 45 public libraries and 59 village reading rooms across the country.

It is also responsible for the management and coordination of 58 educational libraries and 57special libraries. ENDS