open to the public since 1900, the library receives about one hundred and fifty visitors daily, who come also to see the library's small collection of paintings, sculptures and ancient coins. the gabinete's books can be accessed by the general public  by presenting any valid ID,  and by filling out a simple form.  

the real gabinete de leitura also acts as curator of cultural relations, developing activities through the centro cultural, the centro de estudos, and the pólo de pesquisa sobre as relações luso-brasileiras (research about pole luso-brazilian relations -  pprlb).