In 1846 the Book Society of Pietermaritzburg was established, supported by David Dale Buchanan, editor of the Natal Witness.
For 2,000 guineas, the Society bought 20 Longmarket Street in 1876; it opened as a public library and museum in February 1878.
With every book published in South Africa now held in the library for copyright and archival purposes, it had to be repeatedly expanded.
[5][3] During the apartheid years, the library remained open to all residents, irrespective of race, and expanded with 11 branches across the city.
[8] It is the only KwaZulu-Natal institution holding all books written by the Indian political activist Mahatma Gandhi.