The building is run for the state by an independent organization of the same name, to promote literacy, reading, publishing and for conferences, symposia, training courses and exhibitions pertaining to these.

The building was sold to the state, to be the home of the National Archives of South Africa, and an elevator and fire detection system was installed.

In February 1990, the Archives moved to out and by this time the building was in a state of serious disrepair with crumbling stonework and major damage to the roofs.

A leading restoration consultant, John Rennie, was appointed to tend to the building with a very limited budget.

McKinlay, won a competition for its design and moved to South Africa to oversee its construction.