About the National Library & Archives

The National Library and Archives Services was established in 1975 through a Cabinet Decision 11/75a and its functions were broadly outlined. In 1993 the National Library and Archives Act was enacted to coordinate the planning and development of Libraries and archives throughout the country. The provision of the Act was affected in May 1994 to operate independently from the Education Department, but to remain part of the Education Ministry. Since then, there is close links between Librarians and Archivists have existed in Papua New Guinea since independence 1975, when the National Library Service was established. During Independence the government of the day decided that the National Archives would also become a branch of the National Library Service.

The National Archives was created as a separate archival activity in 1962, although a repository was established in 1957. It became a branch of the National Library Service in 1975; then a Division of the Department of Education.

A restructure to the Office of Libraries and Archives which came into effect on 24 January 2007 created an Office of the Director General and three wings. The National Archives and Public Records Services now form one of the three wings of the Office of Libraries and Archives; the other being the Corporate Service, National Library Service. The National Archives operates under the National Library and Archives Act, 1993.