National Heritage Library

The National Heritage Library (NHL) is located in Belmopan City. Since August 2006, this two-story, air-conditioned building, has housed over 40,000 books, reports, serials, microfilm, DVDs, CDs, and community information about Belize and our neighbors in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The National Collection consists of books, magazines, reports (topical and annual from NGOs, businesses, and government agencies), newsletters, government documents, local and national newspapers, posters/flyers, calendars, maps, agendas, house plans, funeral booklets. Within the collection are materials of various formats that date from as early as the mid-18th century to those published this week.

The Latin American and Caribbean collections consist of monographs and serials from all over these regions. Highlights within these collections include research-level English and Spanish-language books about the indigenous and African-descendent populations, magazines, and OAS reports.

NHL collects microfilm, which can be viewed with the microform reader on site. Pictured beside the reader are the Belize Billboard (1957-1962), and the Belize (British Honduras) Advertiser (1881 to 1889). Trained staff is available to assist library patrons who wish to view these resources.

In a constant effort to upgrade and preserve our holdings, NHL converts VHS broadcasts of Channel 5 and Channel 7 news, documentaries, biographies, and government proceedings. News broadcasts date from the mid-1990s and documentaries date from the 1980s.

NHL is presently undertaking a digitization project that involves the scanning and editing of rare and old books and images within our collections.

Below is a list of the type of materials within the National Collection:

1. Books

2. Reports [annual and quarterly] of select industries and Government Ministries

3. Newspapers (1885-present, dates inclusive):

Newspaper Name Date Amandala 1969 Aug - present Belize Times 1956-present Christian Herald 1983-present People Pulse/Guardian 1988-present Reporter 1968-present San Pedro Sun 1992-present Alkebulan 1999, 1994-1995 Alliance 1992-2005 Ambergris Today 2000-2004 The Angelus 1885-1903 The Beacon 1970-1991 Belize Independence 1936-1937 Sunday Supplement 1961 Belize Tribune 1983-1984 Belize BillBoard 1950-1970 Blazer 1994-1998 Belmopan Chronicle 1995-1997 British Honduran 1954-1959 Cayo Trader 1994-1998 Coconut Wireless 1985, 1988-1989 Daily Clarion 1936-1961 Disweek 1983-1961 Liberty 1990-2006 Multi-Media 2000, 2004-2005 Prensa Solidaridad 1998-2001 Vanguard 1969-1973 Voice 1982-1986

Others/Various Name Date Acontecer Nacional 1993–1994 Belize Liberator 2004 & 2006 Belize Sunday Journal 1999 Candid 1993 Devil’s Advocate 1997 Intranet 2001 Jihad 1992 Liberal 1973 Labor Beacon 1992 & 1993 Magnum Belize 2004 North to South 2000 Overseas Chinese News 2003 Placencia Breeze 2001 Southern Exposure 1999 SPEAR Head 1990 Stann Creek Star 2001 The Anglican News 2000 The Belize News 1995 The Belize Sun 1996 The Caye Caulker 2002 The Children’s Newspaper The Democrat 2000 The Lamanai Experience The Observer 1996

Special Collection

Architectural Plans

Audiovisual materials [CDs, DVDs, VHS]

Bookmarkers

Calendars

Coins

Funeral Booklets/ Eulogies

Maps

Photographs

Postcards

Posters

Rare books

Realia

Stamps

Local Vertical files

4. Bibliographies

5. Journals – current and past

6. Magazines

7. Newsletters

8. Yearbooks

9. Conference papers

10. Telephone Directories

11. Manifestos

12. Speeches and addresses

13. Government Documents :

Acts
Bills
Government Gazettes (1878-present)
Ordinances
Statutory Instruments