1825- Subscription Libraries in British Honduras

1935- Establishment of Jubilee Public Library

Donation of building at 156 North Front Street  for library service by Mr. Robert Sydney Turton

Carnegie Corporation of New York gave a grant for books and furniture

Library governed by Ordinance No 37. Of 1935                   

1936- Five new Sub- library developments in: Corozal, Stann Creek,

Punta Gorda, San Ignacia and Orange Walk Town

1948- Sub-library established at Gallon Jug

1952- Sub-library established at Placencia

1954- Central Library transferred from Jubilee Public Library on North Front Street to Bliss Institute Establishment of National Collection at Bliss Institute

1955- First qualified Belizean Librarian Appointed

Corozal Sub-library reorganized into a branch library

Establishment of Children’s Library at North Front Street Library – now known as Turton Library Centre

Sub-libraries established at Crooked Tree, Sibun and Belize Prison

1956- San Ignacio, Stann Creek and Orange Walk Sub- Libraries reorganized into branch libraries

Sub-Library established at Mango Creek and Independendence

First Annual Library Course held in Belize City1957- Subscription charges for membership discontinued

Sub-libraries established at: Monkey River, San Antonio (Toledo), Gales Point and Sittee River

1958 -Sub-libraries established at Yo Creek, Hopkins, Sarteneja, Burrel Boom and Benque Viejo Del Carmen

1959- Branch library established at Cinderella Town, Belize City

Three new sub-libraries established at: Mullins River; Seine Bight and Roaring Creek

Book stock increased from 106,000 to 116,000

Five- Year Development Plan for Library Service

1960- New National Library Ordinance

Four new sub-libraries established at Pomona, Sand Hill, San Narcisco and Maskall

1961- Eight new sub-libraries established at Ladyville, Cristo Rey, Princess Royal Youth Hostel, Guinea Grass, Melinda, San Estevan, San Antonio (Corozal), and Bomba

Hurricane Hattie destroyed three branches, seven sub-libraries and 19,000 volumes of books

1962- Eight new sub-libraries established at Hattieville, Silk Grass, San Jose Succotz, Patchakan, Pembroke Hall (Libertad), Santa Clara, Caye Caulker and Progresso

Establishment of  Accessioning Department or Technical services Department

Establishment of Book Bindery

Seventh Annual Library Service Course

First District Library Conference held at Orange Walk Library

1963- Six new sub-libraries established at San Felipe, San Joaquin, Calcutta, San Antonio (Cayo), Bullet Tree Falls and Santana

1st  Comprehensive National Bibliography published

National Public Library began operation of school library services on behalf of the Education Department

1964- Four new sub-libraries established: Douglas, San Lazaro-Trinidad, San Pedro (Ambergris Caye), and San Pedro Columbia

Second Comprehensive National Bibliography published

First Book Fair held at the Baron Bliss Institute with over 500 attendees

Librarian delivered over twenty talks on local history, books and reading, throughout  the nation

Circulation of monthly newsletter “We Read”

1965- 30th Anniversary Library Celebrations

Development of National Archives at the library was also used as a museum for Mayan artifacts and served as a center for extra-mural activities.

Four new service points were opened at: Rancho Dolores, Tea Kettle, Crique Sarco and Georgetown

Stann Creek Branch Library was moved to municipal building

San Ignacio Branch was moved to a new building

1966- 11th Annual Library Training Corse

Cinderella Town Branch in Belize City acquired a renovated building on its own property

Three new sub-libraries established at: Paraiso, May Pen and San Roman

Senior Officer acquired some training in Archives and Libraries in the United Kingdom

2nd Book Fair was held

Supplement was prepared for National Bibliography

Punta Gorda Branch Library was relocated from the Customs Building to the building that housed the Hospital

1967- The opening of a new Corozal Town Branch Building

Improvement of Library Rules

One new sub-library established at St. Ann’s Village

Largest ever library course held

Presentation of a German Collection by the German Ambassador

1968- One new sub-library established at Ontario Village

Reorganization of August Pine Ridge sub-library in Community Center

13th Annual Library Training Course

Thirty-four sets of Encyclopedias were donated by the United States of America Consulate and 365 new non-fiction volumes

1969- National Collection book stock totaled 3,527

Total book stock of library service 71, 501

Reformation of story- Telling Groups and Boys and Girls Reader’s Group

Proposal for a Southside branch library

Re-organization of Library points at St. Ann’s Village and San Antonio (Cayo)

Donation of air-conditioning unit from some students of Wake Forest University for National Archives collection

1970- Establishment of Belmopan Branch Library

Princess Royal Youth Hostel sub-library closed

A successful annual library course was held

Book stock of national collection 1,665 volumes

Supplement to national bibliography of 1964 published

1971- The 73rd Library point was opened at Freetown Sibun and the 74th point was planned at San Luis in Orange Walk District.

Library bulletin for employees re-commenced

2000 volumes donated from students of Western Maryland University

125 cartons of books donated by Mr. Ralph Clarke, Waterford, Connecticut

Other significant donations came from:

Education Communications Association of Washington

Rotary

Detroit Public Library

British National Book Center

Guatemalan Consulate General

1972- A substantial book grant of $30,000 was given by British Council.

Commemoration of International Book Year by UNESCO.

Librarian attended 3 International Book Conferences abroad.

Opening of two additional library points

Public Book Forum by the National Library

Donation of second hand books by Overseas Book Center of Canada and Ranfurly Library service of Britain

1973- Mr. Roy Flood, British Council Librarian and Book Director visited the library.

Library opening hours expanded from six to thirty –five hours weekly

New library building for Belmopan Branch Library

Tables and chairs for the building in Belmopan was donated by the Baron Bliss Trust and the Cultural Association of Belmopan

1974- The British Council closed its office permanently in Belize and donated its entire library stock to the National Library Service

This donation thus created Technical/Reference Library. Donations were received by the National Library Service from home and abroad to develop the Children’s libraries in the rural areas.

Two new service points opened at Cristo Rey in Cayo District and one at Chunox in the Corozal District

76 service points in operation

1975- 78 service points in operation

1977- The library branch at San Ignacio was housed in a rented building while in Punta Gorda and Dangriga; the branches were housed in the Town Halls.

The fourth edition of the National Bibliography was revised completely and includes only book published by Belizeans and about Belize and due to be published early in 1978.

1978- Mr. Lawrence Vernon appointed as the Chief Librarian.

1981- Exchange programme with Lenin State Library of USSR.

1982- The Sandy Hunter Library was opened on 23rd February by the Prime Minister.

1992- Mrs. Joy Ysaguirre became Chief Librarian

The CDS/ISIS automated database program was introduced to the National Library Service.

Land donated to Dangriga Town Board by Mr. Cornelius Cacho.

1993- Development of San Pedro Library.

Donations for an A/C unit and installation for the San Pedro Library by Mr. Bill Mayer.

Shipment of new books for San Pedro Library and a full time Librarian by the National Library Service.

Fund raising by San Pedro Library for its development.

1994- The opening of the new library Headquarters “Leo Bradley Library” which is located on Princess Margaret Drive.

San Pedro Library building completed and opened to the public

1997 - Santa Elena Public Library opened its doors in November

1999- The National Library Service took part in the September celebration with a float highlighting the Newspaper Collection. 14 Mothers were honored by the National Library Service for their contribution to the development of our Society. First ever National Story Reading Contest hosted by National Library Service November 23rd.

Audio Visual development at Leo Bradley.

2000- Corozal Library formed a new group called Friends of the Library. Their role is to find different way to contribute to library needs. National Collection moved from Leo Bradley to the Turton Library Centre top floor.

2001- National Collection Christmas Bram – a view of old time Christmas.

2002- Development of Port Loyola Library in Southside Belize

2003-New Library Building for Dangriga Library- Ignacia Cacho Dangriga Library was inaugurated on July 31. At the launching of the virtual Health library initiative for Belize by PAHO/WHO in October, the BNLS was selected to be the National VHL coordinator and Executive body. Display on politics in Belize and the first public Political forum held at the Turton Library Center which was broadcasted live on the radio stations. At the launching of the virtual Health library initiative for Belize by PAHO/WHO in October, the BNLS was selected to be the National VHL coordinator and Executive body.

2004- National Library Service hosted a Christmas reading program at the Leo Bradley Library under the theme “Bring Back Di Ole Fashion Christmas”.

Senior citizen Christmas party.

SPEAR donated part of their collection to Turton Library Center. Realia collection at the Turton Library Center opened on April 16, through the Belize Water Service Limited

Library acquired collections of postage stamps and postcard, formerly of the Eric King collection.

The use of community libraries replaced the term sub-libraries

The Crooked Tree library was opened along with others in Hopkins, San Jose (Toledo) and Indian Church (Orange Walk)