# Public libraries in Somaliland: Hargeisa, Berbera, Gabiley and Sheikh

> Somaliland's public libraries: the national library in Hargeisa (2017), Berbera (2018), Gabiley (2021) and Sheikh (2023): when each opened and what it offers.

Source page: https://calankii.com/en/society/public-libraries-in-somaliland/
Last checked: 2026-11-12
Publisher: Calankii (https://calankii.com)

## In short

[Somaliland](/en/states/somaliland-1991-to-2026/) has opened four public libraries since 2017: a national library in Hargeisa and public libraries in Berbera, Gabiley and [Sheekh](/en/regions/sheikh/) (Sheikh) ([Wikipedia, National Library of Somaliland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Library_of_Somaliland)). For the national library in Mogadishu, see [National Library of Somalia](/en/society/national-library-of-somalia/).

## National Library of Somaliland, Hargeisa (2017)

The National Library of Somaliland, also called the Silanyo National Library, is in Hargeisa ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Library_of_Somaliland)). It was founded in December 2017 and is named after former president Axmed Maxamed Maxamuud (Silanyo), who opened it (same source). It is the first and largest national library in Somaliland (same source).

## Berbera Public Library (2018)

*Maktabadda Dadweynaha ee Berbera* is the main public library in central Berbera ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berbera_Public_Library)). Its story (same source):

- **29 February 2011:** the idea was announced at a meeting of the Berbera Reader Club, a group of local scholars, elders and businessmen.
- **2013:** the government cleared a site and moved the people living there. President Silanyo laid the first stone.
- **2014:** Mayor Abdishakuur Mahmoud Hassan (Ciddin) set up a five-member community committee. A first library opened that year, and building began in late 2014.
- **December 2015 to December 2017:** the rest of the building was finished, mostly paid for by the local government.
- **22 April 2018:** grand opening. It holds more than 15,000 books.
- **2022:** the Taiwan Representative Office and the US charity SimplyHelp Foundation gave computers.

## Gabiley National Library and Community Centre (2021)

The library in Gabiley, Maroodi Jeex, was founded in 2019 and opened in April 2021 ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabiley_National_Library)). It has reading rooms on three floors, a reader registration system, children's areas, and study space where teachers prepare lessons and set exams (same source). It runs workshops on reading, health, social issues, technology and study skills for children and adults (same source).

## Sheikh Public Library (2023)

Sheikh Public Library opened in January 2023 and is the only public library in Sheekh, [Togdheer](/en/regions/togdheer/) ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheikh_Public_Library)).

## Read more

- [National Library of Somalia](/en/society/national-library-of-somalia/)
- [Books in the Somali language](/en/society/books-in-the-somali-language/)
- [Woqooyi Galbeed and Hargeysa](/en/regions/woqooyi-galbeed/)

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