The audit of the Department of National Museums’ financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024, issued to the Accounting Officer on 30 May 2025, has raised concerns over the management of the National Museum Library’s historic collection.
The audit observed that the library holds books over 150 years old, many of which have become unusable and cannot be preserved. However, there was no disposal register for these books, and no steps had been taken to appoint a disposal board or establish standards for identifying books suitable for disposal.
The Accounting Officer responded that library staff have begun documenting and assessing all books that cannot be restored. Once this report is completed, an appropriate disposal board will be appointed, and books deemed irreparable will be disposed of according to formal procedures.
The audit recommended the urgent establishment of a disposal board to determine which books should be discarded and to develop relevant standards for the process, ensuring proper management of the library’s valuable and historic collection.
The report will be tabled in Parliament in accordance with constitutional and audit provisions.
