National Library of South Africa (NLSA)

Visited the reference library and requested two items from 1984. Was told they are both missing. Asked to speak to an archivist or manager, but my request was refused. Appalling really. If you are a serious researcher, don't bother coming to this library. Edit 14 March 2023: After expressing my frustration with the staff, the items were found. I subsequently wrote an email to a staff member at the library about my experience, but had no reply. It is clear that they simply do not care about their users' experience.

Most of their computers aren't functioning well if it has internet then it doesn't have volume if there's internet connection then there's no volume or it's even slow. It's a clean place though quite and has many desks to study at your comfort

It is very beautiful, clean and well-maintained. Everyone's well behaved so there's no worries when it comes to noise or disturbances. There's more than enough seating/studying plans, a vast collection of books both academic and otherwise. The librarians are very friendly, remain ready to assist for every and all inquiries. I'm definitely going to be a regular here

Nice and quiet. The wifi is not strong enough. It keeps disconnecting. Because of covid we're always supposed to have masks on and that is suffocating. They keep all your food and you're not even allowed to drink water, which is weird.

Absolutely horrible, first of all they didn't have a discussion room available for a group task. Second of all the power mysteriously switched off , and no it was not load shedding. So obviously the people who were using the PC's couldn't work anymore. The people that were left were people who were using hard copy books and studying, the staff at the library were rude and were rushing to go home because of this mysterious power outtage , they chased us out , even told us we were packing up too slow, they couldn't keep the library open for those who had no need for electricty and they had a generator because some of the lights were on. The last straw was when we were scanning documents to send in as we were writing a test that needed to be mailed. The security guards kicked us out of the outside premises where we were working because they needed to go home. This was around 13:00. Rubbish library , rubbish staff , if I could I would give them a zero. Would not recommend. I'm so traumatized. I will never be returning there again.

Quiet and nice but the surrounding environment of the library is really getting dirty. I hope the government would do something about it.

Perfect place to study, it's clean and quiet. Only problem is that they don't allow water inside the library

Very good services. Very quiet place to study. There is Wifi, computers, bathrooms, air conditioning, security . Very organized. The staff is very friendly and helpful.

It is very quiet with unlimited wifi connection.The security is very tight.

The service at the Research section of this institution is appalling. Computers are not working and apathetic staff is doing the absolute minimum to be of assistance. The film reals are defunct and have to be replaced while researcher wait. Staff sit on their backside and have to be constantly called to give assistance. This unproductive time consuming and frustrating practice is intolerable. Motivation of staff seems to be very low. Unfortunately, some of us need the research facilities as part of our work. After having used the National Library regularly for more than 30 years, I throw in the towel. They should shut the place with the terrible attitude down so that the staff will no longer have to move their arses. I give the department one star. I have asked a friend in Cape Town to research the Pretoria News for me for me in the Cape Library. It may be costly but I have no choice. The friendly and efficient response I had from the Cape Town Library is very encouraging.