[1] The library maintains the National Bibliography, contains the country's historical archives and the theses and dissertation bank and is a legal deposit.

[2] It also serves as the public library of Praia, the country's capital.

In 2001, the library established the Institute of the National Library and the Book (Instituto da Biblioteca Nacional e do Livro) which aims to promote literacy, particularly among children and young adults.

[2] According to the United Nations, as of 2015 approximately 86 percent of adult Cape Verdeans are literate.

[3] The project also works to disperse texts throughout the country and support national authors.