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This work was consolidated with the publication of the Boletim das Bibliotecas e Arquivos Nacionais [Bulletin of National Libraries and Archives], later known as the Anais das Bibliotecas e Arquivos [Annals of Libraries and Archives], and continued with the contributions of Xavier da Cunha, a naval surgeon who primarily identified as a journalist, writer, bibliographer, and poet, using the pseudonym Olímpio de Freitas. He joined the National Library in 1886 as the second curator, later becoming its director in 1902. His tenure was marked by a particularly intellectual and scholarly inclination, evident in his focus on enhancing the collection and improving the technical competence of the staff, whom he often accused of laxity. He also restricted access to those he deemed of lower intellectual status.
He was of the view that the National Library should serve only researchers, scholars, and literary dilettantes, firmly opposing a broader vision of public reading dissemination. Consequently, Xavier da Cunha advocated for exclusively daytime hours, justifying security grounds for the library's closure at night, primarily due to its gas lighting system, as well as financial constraints, which he also cited to justify its closure during August and September when attendance was low. His ideas regarding a more selective use of the National Library did not imply a lack of interest in literary and scientific dissemination to the less privileged population. This is evidenced by his active role in one of the most important popular collections, the Biblioteca do Povo e das Escolas [People and Schools' Library], a project he helped launch in 1881, not only as a friend of the editor, David Corazzi, and his collaborator, but also as the literary director, applying the same meticulous care that he would later bring to his role as director of the National Library. Notably, the first booklet in the series was authored by Xavier da Cunha and titled História de Portugal [History of Portugal], although this was not his area of expertise. Likewise, the connection between this publication and the National Library was established through material published by Gabriel Pereira, who was the director at the time.
Augusto Pereira de Bettencourt Ataíde featured among the collaborators he retained at the National Library . He was selected for the position of 2nd Curator of the BNL in early 1903. His advocacy for public reading went beyond the guiding principles defined by Xavier da Cunha, as evidenced by his response to his superior, who he accused of “ultramontane rigours” regarding the restrictions imposed on what was termed the “invasion of barbarians.” This critique was published in 1905 in a text titled A Leitura Pública na Biblioteca Nacional de Lisboa [Public Reading in the National Library of Lisbon]. Vivifying his convictions, Bettencourt Ataíde later became responsible for the creation of mobile libraries in 1915.
