The SAAO Library is the

national library A national library is a library established by a government as a country's preeminent repository of information. Unlike public library, public libraries, these rarely allow citizens to borrow books. Often, they include numerous rare, valuable, o ...

of the

South African Astronomical Observatory South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) is the national centre for optical and infrared astronomy in South Africa. It was established in 1972. The observatory is run by the National Research Foundation of South Africa. The facility's funct ...

(SAAO) for

astronomy Astronomy () is a natural science that studies astronomical object, celestial objects and phenomena. It uses mathematics, physics, and chemistry in order to explain their origin and chronology of the Universe, evolution. Objects of interest ...

and

space science Space is the boundless three-dimensional extent in which objects and events have relative position and direction. In classical physics, physical space is often conceived in three linear dimensions, although modern physicists usually consider ...

located in

Observatory, Cape Town Observatory is a suburb in Cape Town, South Africa, colloquially known as Obs. Bordered by Mowbray to the south and Salt River to the northwest, the area is best known as a student neighbourhood associated with the nearby University of Cape T ...

, South Africa. Its primary function is to conduct fundamental research in astronomy and astrophysics. The SAAO library can be seen as the integral part of the facility as it provides the research staff with access to essential information and tools that allow them to function as informed professionals within their community.. The SAAO library is part of the larger National Research Foundation (NRF) therefore the library has to align its strategic actions with those of the NRF. Any strategic actions adopted by the library have to contribute also the NRF's strategic directions and should assist in achieving the NRF's corporate goals.

History

The SAAO library is the oldest and most comprehensive astronomical library in South Africa, with contemporary material that dates back to 1830. The early SAAO library was formed of group of books that were housed in the astronomers offices.

Branches

The SAAO library has two branches, Cape Town and in Sutherland in the Northern Cape. Cape Town branch acts as the main branch hosting most of the research material while Sutherland is the sub-branch used as reference for researchers during observations periods.

Library holdings

The library's online catalogue was started in 1993 and since 2004 the library personnel have been engaged in retrospective cataloguing. The online catalogue currently gives access to over 9000 records and approximately 3100 staff publications. The library's holdings consists of journals (electronic and print), books (electronic and print), databases, atlases and catalogues, brochures, maps photographs, plates, posters, staff publications, slides, media collections, CD's / DVD's and many historic documents.

References

{{Authority control Libraries in Cape Town Buildings and structures completed in 1829