National Archives of Malawi
MISSION
Preservation of printed and published works on Malawi to compliment the official records and archives of the Nation
"If you deposit a book with the National Archives of Malawi, you are contributing to the preservation of the country's documentary heritage"
VISION
Be a leading provider of published information on Malawi
INTRODUCTION
The Legal Deposit Library is responsible for the administration of the Printed Publications Act. Under this Act, every publisher in the country is obliged to deposit a copy of his or her publications with the National Archives.
Because of this legal depository right, the Library of the National Archives of Malawi stands out in the country to have the most comprehensive collection of published materials on Malawi. This collection compliments the unpublished sources of information housed in the National Archives.
The Library is open for use to every person of mature age, but does not lend out its materials. They can only be consulted in the Search Room where there are also catalogues for the selection of the required items. The Library’s collection comprises of books, periodicals and newspapers, audio-visual materials which include cinematographic films, reel to reel tapes, audio and video tapes, gramophone records and CDs of traditional music, maps, photographs, microfilms, etc.
The Library Section also publishes the Malawi National Bibliography. It also administers the use and application of the International Standard Book Numbering (ISBN) system in the country as well as providing advisory service to publishers of books in Malawi on the advantages of using the ISBN system.
FUNCTIONS
Enforce the
provisions of the Printed Publications Act of the Laws of Malawi (Cap.
19:01) whereby publishers in the country are obliged to register their
newspapers and deposit their publications with the National Archives of
Malawi.
Identify,
acquire and maintain a comprehensive collection of published literature on
Malawi.
Maintain
a record of the country’s literature output and promote bibliographic
research and reference through the publication of the Malawi National
Bibliography and other select bibliographies on issues of national
interest.
Offer
general library and information services to institutions and persons of
mature age.
Provide
advisory services to Government Departments in solving bibliographic
problems in their respective libraries.
Administer the use and application of the International Standard Book Numbering (ISBN) system in Malawi, and provide advisory services to publishers in the country on the advantages of the system.