Located in the vicinity of the Lycee Lycée Gerville-Réache (High school), the Carmelite church and the Fort Delgres, the Caribbean Multi-Media Library is at the very heart of the historical district of Carmel in Basse-Terre, the administrative capital of Guadeloupe.

The military architecture of the building reflects the vocation of the Carmel area, which was built around 1650 by Charles Houêl Houël de Petit-Pré.

The colony built the King's Armoury on the site of the first Carmelite church, which was destroyed around 1759. The building, with its distinctive horseshoe shape and layout, was first mentioned as Number 13 in the December 1889 atlas of military buildings. It then became the General Armoury, where cannon balls were kept and where the store master had his officeheadquarters.

In 1891, the Government Printing Office moved there. In 1930, it became the Official Printing Office with all administrative documents and regulations for the colony being printed there until 1969. The building subsequently fell into disrepair. It became the provisional quarters of the Public Health Department and the Post Office.

It was in 1995 that the General Council committed itself to preserving the building. The rehabilitation work was carried out by the architect Jean-Claude Pancrassin, who has retained the genius of the place.

The Caribbean Multi-Media Library was opened in 1997 and given the name of Bettino Lara, the last Director of the Official Printing Office. Since then, it has provided a pleasant setting for both users and staff.