[2] Central Library includes lending and reference services as well as specialised art and music sections.

The library offers books, CDs, DVDs, audiobooks and magazines for loan.

[6] The City of Cape Town, provided funds for a new library to be established in the Old Drill Hall.

In 1952 the Cape Town City Library Service (CTLS) was established to create a free municipal library service for Cape Town.

Central Library was established and opened to the public in January 1955.

In 1962 Central moved from SAPL to SANLAM building, Waal Street.