Overview

The National Library of Bhutan was established in 1967 under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Ashi Phuntsho Choden (1999 – 2003) with a small collection of precious texts. The library was initially housed within some rooms of the central tower of Tashi Choedzong. Later, due to its growing of books collection, it had to move to a building in the Changangkha area of Thimphu. Royal Government of Bhutan realizing the need for permanent and suitable building to hold the sacred religious texts and important collection of library both English and religious texts, and manuscript, the then Home Minister, Lyonpo Tamshing Jagar, initiated the construction of the present four storeyed eight cornered traditional building designed in the form of the central tower temples of a Bhutanese Dzong. The cost of construction was entirely borne by the Royal Government of Bhutan, without any aid from the foreign government. The national library today function in four categories, as following:

National Archive – This function of the National Library is responsible for collecting and preserving the important past, present and future documents for Bhutan for the future Generation. The separated modern archive building was constructed in 2004 under the assistance of Denmark Government. The building is equipped with fire alarm, modern security and temperature and humidity control.

National Memory Bank –This function of National Library is responsible for for holding many important documents including old records, old letters and around seven thousand important photographs. The archives also hold microfilms of many other important documents. Particularly rare and important books and manuscript from the National Library are also kept in their secure and controlled facilities. Thus the archive is the foundation of our National Memory Bank. National Memory Bank under National Library solicits co- operation from all concerned in its effort to create National Memory Bank.

Microfilming facilities and services – This function of the national library of Bhutan provides free service of microfilming to people living within Bhutan and holding important documents, texts, manuscript. It is the preserve documents for the longer period of term, which will ultimately benefit the preserving the historical record of Bhutan. Conservation and preservation – Preservation and conservation function of the National Library of Bhutan deals with paper quality of manuscript, text and documents of Bhutan. It is to preserve the historical record for longer period of the time. This unit also creates audio visual and survey on Bhutanese history. Today, the national library is the center for researcher for gathering information, establishing facts and finding historical facts of Bhutan. This building, which now houses the collection of traditional texts, was consecrated as a Lhakhang or Temple in order to provide a spiritually appropriate environment for these religious books. The inauguration and consecration ceremony of the new National Library Building was
held on November 23, 1984.