Development of Libraries in Zaire: Inventory and review of the literature 1888 — Part One

Extract

Before the Duke of Brabant, later King Leopold II, of Belgium, realised how strong his dreams of conquering the Congo (Zaire) were, little had been done in his own country to promote library services. For example, only 85 libraries had been setup by 1865 and 571 by 1881 (Recht:1928). However, the Duke of Brabant had expressed in 1861, his determination to set up a documentary system which might respond to his dreams of territorial expansion (Perier:1935). He owed much of his knowledge to use of libraries and felt that the book was the sure means to propagate his colonizing zeal. His Ambassador to London, the future General Brialmont, was asked to consult all the literature about colonization still unknown in Belgium at that time and keep him informed. He was knowledgeable on overseas territories and colonial events occuring throughout the world.