The education department of the Natal Museum initiated programs which attract hundreds of learners from different schools. These learners visit the museum every afternoon during school term, even over holidays.

These programs were organized to respond to an educational need from learners who were not satisfied with the brief visits to museums organized by schools. Learners realized that the museum is an under utilized resource, which has a lot of valuable information to offer.

In order to sustain the learner's interest, the education department encourages them to participate in a variety of educational competitions organized and promoted by various institutions. These institutions include the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa, ESKOM (Energy Conservation), ABSA (Entrepreneurship), Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT), etc. The museum saw the need of ensuring that these school children have a facility in the museum they can use to do their research thus the inception of the resource centre. Our present library, being a research library is not suitable to be used by school children.

As the institution that preserves the heritage of this country, it is our duty to provide our communities with information that is going to help them understand what heritage is and what we need to preserve it.

Collection

The collection comprises of children's books, books on cultural history, South African political history, natural history, educational DVD'S, video's, reference material and magazines

Services

The services offered are:

• Photocopying
• Internet searches
• Reading space
• Providing information and assistance with research enquiries
• Talks and tours of the library
• Research and reference
• Media Room - (viewing educational material)

Opening hours

The main research library and internet cafe is open :

                                         Monday - Friday      8.15  - 16.00
                                                     Saturday      9.00  - 16.00
                                                       Sunday    10.00  - 15.00   

The library is a reference only, books cannot be borrowed.

Booking for the media room and internet use is essential, contact the librarian at 3410557/ 3410531or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it