About Czechia
Region: Europe
Area: 78,871 km²
Population: 10,905,028
Libraries (Service Points): 10,404
Libraries in Czechia
The Czech Republic has a well-developed library network whose origins are connected to the first Library Act of July 22, 1919. According to this act each municipality was obliged to establish and operate a public library. In 1959 a new Library Act was passed creating a unified library system.
After the political and social changes of November 1989, Czech librarianship began to develop democratically. A third Library Act was passed by the Czech Parliament on June 29, 2001, which determines the conditions under which a particular library can become a part of the “system of libraries” within the spirit of the act.
The system of public libraries consists of:
- Libraries establish by the Ministry of Culture: The National Library of the Czech Republic, The Moravian Library in Brno and The K. E. Macan Library and Printing Office for Blind.
- Regional libraries, established by the relevant regional authorities. The regional library acts as coordinator to other libraries of its region and as a provider of expert advice, information, training, methological assistance and consultancy. These libraries may also fulfil function of a local library providing services to the general public.
- Basic libraries, established by the relevant communal authorities. These libraries provide cultural, educational and information services.
- Specialized libraries. These libraries build a specialized, usually field-oriented library collection. They may be administered by state organisations or by other institutions (i.e., research institutions, universities, museums etc.).
In addition, there are some non-public libraries, e.g., most school libraries, some university and higher education libraries, some museum, castle or church libraries.
Depending on affiliation, libraries are financed by their founders – the government, municipalities or institutions they belong to. In addition, the Ministry of Culture prepares and processes programs and grants for the support of projects in the area of librarianship.
The Ministry of Culture is involved in the creation of legal regulations in the area of librarianship and the related legislation and in the creation of national strategies in these areas. The main strategic document for public libraries is “The Strategy for the Development of Libraries in the Czech Republic for 2017-2020″ and the follow-up document, “The Strategy for the Development of Libraries in the Czech Republic for 2021-2027″. The priority areas for the future development of libraries are presented in these strategies.
The sole professional association that represents interests of librarians is the Association of Library and Information Professionals of the Czech Republic. It organizes professional and social events for librarians and information specialists, participates in training courses and promotes lifelong learning. It develops contacts with similar professional organizations both within the country and abroad.
SDG stories
Library data (Totals)
|
Library type |
Total |
National |
Academic |
Public |
Community |
School |
Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Libraries (Service Points)
Library service point is a fixed or mobile facility through which library provides a service to its users. Central libraries, branch libraries, mobile libraries, and external service points located in different geographical locations and managed by one administrative unit are all each individual service points. Number of libraries is the total number of central/main libraries, branch libraries, external service points and mobile libraries. 10,404 |
10,404 2023 |
1 2023 |
128 2023 |
6,031 2023 |
— |
3,789 2018 |
455 2023 |
|
Main Libraries
Central/main library is usually part or those parts of an administrative unit where the main administrative functions and the important parts of the library collection and services are located. An administrative unit comprising several branch libraries does not necessarily include a central library. 5,638 |
5,638 2023 |
1 2023 |
— |
5,182 2023 |
— |
— |
455 2023 |
|
Branch Libraries
Branch library is a part of a larger administrative unit providing, in separate quarters, a service for a particular user group (e.g. children, faculties) or for a locally defined clientele. Institute, departmental and other affiliated libraries are included. Mobile libraries and external service points are excluded. 853 |
853 2023 |
0 2023 |
— |
849 2023 |
— |
— |
4 2020 |
|
External Service Points
External service point is a point away from library premises at which a certain service is regularly offered to users. This includes places within a locality at which library material is deposited for informal circulation to a restricted group of users but without other library services, for example, old people’s homes, community centres, collections for hospital patients. Mobile libraries and their stops are not counted as external service points. 0 |
0 2023 |
0 2023 |
— |
0 2021 |
— |
— |
— |
|
Mobile Libraries
Mobile library is a library, sometimes a division of a public library, using transport means to provide documents and services directly to users as an alternative to access on library premises. 4 |
4 2023 |
0 2023 |
— |
4 2023 |
— |
— |
— |
|
Libraries (Administrative Units)
Administrative unit is any independent library, or group of libraries, under a single directorate or a single administration. The term “independent” does not imply legal or financial independence but only that the library is a recognisably separate unit, typically within a larger organisation. The administrative unit can be a single library or a larger organisation, typically containing a central/main library, branch libraries and administrative functions. 5,183 |
5,183 2023 |
1 2023 |
— |
5,182 2023 |
— |
— |
— |
|
Libraries with Internet Access
Libraries (Service Points) that provides internet access from at least one workstation available to the public regardless of whether access is free, and/or provides a wireless network allowing users to connect to the Internet. 6,326 |
6,326 2023 |
1 2023 |
128 2023 |
6,031 2023 |
— |
— |
166 2023 |
|
Full-Time Staff
Full-time equivalent (FTE) staff are all library employees who work for the library in return for payment. It includes professional staff, qualified staff, project staff and assistants. Other staff (library employees who work in security and on domestic duties, for example, cleaners, porters, caretakers and catering staff) and volunteers are excluded. 8,882 |
8,882 2023 |
449 2023 |
1,000 2023 |
5,366 2023 |
— |
194 2018 |
1,873 2023 |
|
Volunteers
Volunteer is a person working on library tasks without payment. In counting volunteers, the concept of headcount is used. 7,014 |
7,014 2023 |
0 2016 |
— |
2,176 2023 |
— |
4,787 2018 |
51 2023 |
|
Registered Users
Registered user is a person or organisation registered with a library in order to use its collection and/or services within or away from the library. Users may be registered upon their request or automatically when enrolling in the institutions. 2.9 M |
2,894,656 2023 |
20,627 2023 |
423,645 2023 |
1,257,577 2023 |
— |
1,038,557 2018 |
154,250 2023 |
|
Physical Visits
Physical visit is a person (individual) entering the library premises. 24.4 M |
24,386,300 2023 |
351,520 2023 |
4,287,928 2023 |
19,428,094 2023 |
— |
— |
318,758 2021 |
|
Physical Loans
Physical loan is a direct lending or delivery transaction of an item in physical form. Physical loans include loans of items in non-electronic form (e.g. books) and loans electronic documents on a physical carrier (e.g. CD-ROM). 47.5 M |
47,516,212 2023 |
345,447 2023 |
2,149,737 2023 |
41,568,994 2023 |
— |
2,529,329 2018 |
922,705 2023 |
|
eBook Loans
eBook is a non-serial digital document, licenced or not, where searchable text is prevalent, and similar to a print book (monograph). eBooks can be lent to users either on portable devices (eBook readers) or by transmitting the contents to the user’s PC or other device for a limited time period. 432,646 |
432,646 2023 |
73,860 2023 |
— |
302,438 2023 |
— |
— |
56,348 2023 |
|
Audio Book Loans
Audio book (or talking book) is a sound recording of readings of a book, magazine, or newspaper, usually designed for use by visually impaired people. Audio books can be lent to users either on a physical carrier or other device, or by transmitting the content to the user’s PC or other device for a limited time period. — |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
Downloads
Download is a content unit that is successfully requested from a library-provided online service or other internet service (e.g. database, electronic serial or digital document). 69.1 M |
69,118,133 2023 |
31,787,985 2023 |
— |
36,877,658 2023 |
— |
— |
452,490 2023 |
Library data (Per 1M People)
|
Library type |
Total |
National |
Academic |
Public |
Community |
School |
Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Libraries (Service Points)
10,404
Library service point is a fixed or mobile facility through which library provides a service to its users. Central libraries, branch libraries, mobile libraries, and external service points located in different geographical locations and managed by one administrative unit are all each individual service points. Number of libraries is the total number of central/main libraries, branch libraries, external service points and mobile libraries. |
954.1 2023 |
0.1 2023 |
11.7 2023 |
553 2023 |
— |
347.5 2018 |
41.7 2023 |
|
Main Libraries
5,638
Central/main library is usually part or those parts of an administrative unit where the main administrative functions and the important parts of the library collection and services are located. An administrative unit comprising several branch libraries does not necessarily include a central library. |
517 2023 |
0.1 2023 |
— |
475.2 2023 |
— |
— |
41.7 2023 |
|
Branch Libraries
853
Branch library is a part of a larger administrative unit providing, in separate quarters, a service for a particular user group (e.g. children, faculties) or for a locally defined clientele. Institute, departmental and other affiliated libraries are included. Mobile libraries and external service points are excluded. |
78.2 2023 |
0 2023 |
— |
77.9 2023 |
— |
— |
0.4 2020 |
|
External Service Points
0
External service point is a point away from library premises at which a certain service is regularly offered to users. This includes places within a locality at which library material is deposited for informal circulation to a restricted group of users but without other library services, for example, old people’s homes, community centres, collections for hospital patients. Mobile libraries and their stops are not counted as external service points. |
0 2023 |
0 2023 |
— |
0 2021 |
— |
— |
— |
|
Mobile Libraries
4
Mobile library is a library, sometimes a division of a public library, using transport means to provide documents and services directly to users as an alternative to access on library premises. |
0.4 2023 |
0 2023 |
— |
0.4 2023 |
— |
— |
— |
|
Libraries (Administrative Units)
5,183
Administrative unit is any independent library, or group of libraries, under a single directorate or a single administration. The term “independent” does not imply legal or financial independence but only that the library is a recognisably separate unit, typically within a larger organisation. The administrative unit can be a single library or a larger organisation, typically containing a central/main library, branch libraries and administrative functions. |
475.3 2023 |
0.1 2023 |
— |
475.2 2023 |
— |
— |
— |
|
Libraries with Internet Access
6,326
Libraries (Service Points) that provides internet access from at least one workstation available to the public regardless of whether access is free, and/or provides a wireless network allowing users to connect to the Internet. |
580.1 2023 |
0.1 2023 |
11.7 2023 |
553 2023 |
— |
— |
15.2 2023 |
|
Full-Time Staff
8,882
Full-time equivalent (FTE) staff are all library employees who work for the library in return for payment. It includes professional staff, qualified staff, project staff and assistants. Other staff (library employees who work in security and on domestic duties, for example, cleaners, porters, caretakers and catering staff) and volunteers are excluded. |
814.5 2023 |
41.2 2023 |
91.7 2023 |
492.1 2023 |
— |
17.8 2018 |
171.8 2023 |
|
Volunteers
7,014
Volunteer is a person working on library tasks without payment. In counting volunteers, the concept of headcount is used. |
643.2 2023 |
0 2016 |
— |
199.5 2023 |
— |
439 2018 |
4.7 2023 |
|
Registered Users
2.9 M
Registered user is a person or organisation registered with a library in order to use its collection and/or services within or away from the library. Users may be registered upon their request or automatically when enrolling in the institutions. |
265,442.3 2023 |
1,891.5 2023 |
38,848.6 2023 |
115,320.8 2023 |
— |
95,236.5 2018 |
14,144.9 2023 |
|
Physical Visits
24.4 M
Physical visit is a person (individual) entering the library premises. |
2.2 M 2023 |
32,234.7 2023 |
393,206.5 2023 |
1.8 M 2023 |
— |
— |
29,230.4 2021 |
|
Physical Loans
47.5 M
Physical loan is a direct lending or delivery transaction of an item in physical form. Physical loans include loans of items in non-electronic form (e.g. books) and loans electronic documents on a physical carrier (e.g. CD-ROM). |
4.4 M 2023 |
31,677.8 2023 |
197,132.6 2023 |
3.8 M 2023 |
— |
231,941.5 2018 |
84,612.8 2023 |
|
eBook Loans
432,646
eBook is a non-serial digital document, licenced or not, where searchable text is prevalent, and similar to a print book (monograph). eBooks can be lent to users either on portable devices (eBook readers) or by transmitting the contents to the user’s PC or other device for a limited time period. |
39,674 2023 |
6,773 2023 |
— |
27,733.8 2023 |
— |
— |
5,167.2 2023 |
|
Audio Book Loans
—
Audio book (or talking book) is a sound recording of readings of a book, magazine, or newspaper, usually designed for use by visually impaired people. Audio books can be lent to users either on a physical carrier or other device, or by transmitting the content to the user’s PC or other device for a limited time period. |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
Downloads
69.1 M
Download is a content unit that is successfully requested from a library-provided online service or other internet service (e.g. database, electronic serial or digital document). |
6.3 M 2023 |
2.9 M 2023 |
— |
3.4 M 2023 |
— |
— |
41,493.7 2023 |
Contextual data
|
Population |
Czechia |
Region |
World |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Population Total population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship. The values shown are midyear estimates. |
10,905,028 2024 |
928,263,208 2024 |
8,141,808,945 2024 |
|
Proportion of Population Younger than 15 Age dependency ratio, young, is the ratio of younger dependents--people younger than 15--to the working-age population--those ages 15-64. Data are shown as the proportion of dependents per 100 working-age population. |
24.1% 2024 |
27.0% 2024 |
38.0% 2024 |
|
Proportion of Population Older than 64 Age dependency ratio, old, is the ratio of older dependents--people older than 64--to the working-age population--those ages 15-64. Data are shown as the proportion of dependents per 100 working-age population. |
32.7% 2024 |
28.1% 2024 |
15.7% 2024 |
|
Population Growth Annual population growth rate for year t is the exponential rate of growth of midyear population from year t-1 to t, expressed as a percentage. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship. |
0.4% 2024 |
0 2024 |
1.0% 2024 |
|
Population Density Population density is midyear population divided by land area in square kilometers. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship--except for refugees not permanently settled in the country of asylum, who are generally considered part of the population of their country of origin. Land area is a country's total area, excluding area under inland water bodies, national claims to continental shelf, and exclusive economic zones. In most cases the definition of inland water bodies includes major rivers and lakes. |
140.8% 2023 |
33.7% 2022 |
61.6% 2022 |
|
Urban Population Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. The data are collected and smoothed by United Nations Population Division. |
72.8% 2024 |
74.0% 2024 |
57.6% 2024 |
|
Information Infrastructure |
Czechia |
Region |
World |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet Users Internet users are individuals who have used the Internet (from any location) in the last 3 months. The Internet can be used via a computer, mobile phone, personal digital assistant, games machine, digital TV etc. |
87.7% 2024 |
90.9% 2024 |
71.2% 2024 |
|
Female Internet Users This indicator refers to female individuals who have used the Internet (from any location) in the last 3 months. The Internet can be used via a computer, mobile phone, personal digital assistant, games machine, digital TV etc. |
84.8% 2023 |
90.0% 2024 |
68.2% 2024 |
|
Male Internet Users This indicator refers to male individuals who have used the Internet (from any location) in the last 3 months. The Internet can be used via a computer, mobile phone, personal digital assistant, games machine, digital TV etc. |
- |
90.0% |
- |
|
Access to Electricity Access to electricity is the percentage of population with access to electricity. Electrification data are collected from industry, national surveys and international sources. |
100.0% 2023 |
100.0% 2023 |
91.6% 2023 |
|
Economy, Poverty, and Employment |
Czechia |
Region |
World |
|---|---|---|---|
|
GDP per Capita This indicator provides values for gross domestic product (GDP) expressed in current international dollars, converted by purchasing power parities (PPPs). PPPs account for the different price levels across countries and thus PPP-based comparisons of economic output are more appropriate for comparing the output of economies and the average material well-being of their inhabitants than exchange-rate based comparisons. Gross domestic product is the total income earned through the production of goods and services in an economic territory during an accounting period. It can be measured in three different ways: using either the expenditure approach, the income approach, or the production approach. This series has been linked to produce a consistent time series to counteract breaks in series over time due to changes in base years, source data and methodologies. Thus, it may not be comparable with other national accounts series in the database for historical years. The core indicator has been divided by the general population to achieve a per capita estimate. This indicator is expressed in current prices, meaning no adjustment has been made to account for price changes over time. The PPP conversion factor is a currency conversion factor and a spatial price deflator. PPPs convert different currencies to a common currency and, in the process of conversion, equalize their purchasing power by eliminating the differences in price levels between countries, thereby allowing volume or output comparisons of GDP and its expenditure components. |
56,687 2024 |
51,720.6 2024 |
24,405 2024 |
|
Poverty Rate Poverty headcount ratio at $3.00 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $3.00 a day at 2021 purchasing power adjusted prices. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions. |
0.1% 2021 |
0.5% 2024 |
10.3% 2024 |
|
Inequality Gini index measures the extent to which the distribution of income (or, in some cases, consumption expenditure) among individuals or households within an economy deviates from a perfectly equal distribution. A Lorenz curve plots the cumulative percentages of total income received against the cumulative number of recipients, starting with the poorest individual or household. The Gini index measures the area between the Lorenz curve and a hypothetical line of absolute equality, expressed as a percentage of the maximum area under the line. Thus a Gini index of 0 represents perfect equality, while an index of 100 implies perfect inequality. |
25.7% 2023 |
0.0% |
- |
|
Unemployment Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country. |
2.6% 2024 |
5.3% 2024 |
6.2% 2021 |
|
Inactive Youth The share of youth not in education, employment or training (also known as “the NEET rate”) conveys the number of young persons not in education, employment or training as a percentage of the total youth population. Youth not in education are those who were neither enrolled in school nor in a formal training program (e.g. vocational training). For the purposes of this indicator, youth is defined as all persons between the ages of 15 and 24 (inclusive). percentage of youth population |
4.6% 2024 |
11.7% 2024 |
- |
|
Education and Literacy |
Czechia |
Region |
World |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Education Spending General government expenditure on education (current, capital, and transfers) is expressed as a percentage of GDP. It includes expenditure funded by transfers from international sources to government. General government usually refers to local, regional and central governments. percentage of GDP |
4.3% 2022 |
4.6% 2022 |
3.5% 2023 |
|
Adult Literacy Rate Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life. percentage of people ages 15 and above |
- |
4.6% 2022 |
87.7% 2024 |
|
Female Adult Literacy Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life. percentage of females ages 15 and above |
- |
98.5% 2024 |
84.6% 2024 |
|
Male Adult Literacy Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life. percentage of males ages 15 and above |
- |
99.1% 2023 |
90.9% 2024 |
|
Female Youth Literacy Youth literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15-24 who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life. percentage of females ages 15-24 |
- |
99.8% 2023 |
92.0% 2024 |
|
Male Youth Literacy Youth literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15-24 who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life. percentage of males ages 15-24 |
- |
99.8% 2023 |
94.1% 2024 |
|
Research and Innovation |
Czechia |
Region |
World |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Research Spending Gross domestic expenditures on research and development (R&D), expressed as a percent of GDP. They include both capital and current expenditures in the four main sectors: Business enterprise, Government, Higher education and Private non-profit. R&D covers basic research, applied research, and experimental development. percentage of GDP |
2.0% 2022 |
2.0% 2022 |
2.7% 2022 |
|
Researchers The number of researchers engaged in Research &Development (R&D), expressed as per million. Researchers are professionals who conduct research and improve or develop concepts, theories, models techniques instrumentation, software of operational methods. R&D covers basic research, applied research, and experimental development. per million people |
4,697 2022 |
3,466.1 2022 |
1,516 2018 |
|
Scientific Articles Article counts refer to publications from a selection of conference proceedings and peer-reviewed journals from Scopus in science and engineering fields, according to the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics Taxonomy of Disciplines. fractional count |
14,425 2022 |
913,901.4 2022 |
3,338,192 2022 |
National Library Associations
Association of Library and Information Professionals of the Czech Republic / Svaz knihovníků a informačních pracovníků České republiky (SKIP)
Founded in 1990, SKIP is a voluntary professional organization of librarians and information professionals. The mission of SKIP is an effort to constantly improve the standards of library and information services, increase professional prestige and establish suitable conditions for the development and activities of libraries and information centres. SKIP has about 1500 individual and institutional members. It is organized regionally. Specialized activities are handled by sections such as that for public libraries, by clubs such as that for children’s libraries, and by commissions such as commissions for legislation, publishing, automation, and international contacts. SKIP is a member of IFLA.
The Czech Republic Libraries Association / Sdružení knihoven ČR (SDRUK)
Founded in 1992, the Czech Republic Libraries Association unites public, research, special and university libraries. Currently it has 60 members, including the largest libraries in the Czech Republic (National Library of the Czech Republic, 13 central regional libraries, the Municipal Library of Prague). This association represents organizations, legal entities, but not individual members. Professional activities take place within sections dedicated to bibliography, historical collections, information technologies, regional functions, acquisition, services, PR and marketing, information education for library users. SDRUK organizes professional events such as seminars and conferences for librarians, training and expert meetings and publishes professional publications.
Association of Libraries of Czech Universities (ALCU) / Asociace knihoven vysokých škol ČR (AKVŠ)
ALCU unites academic libraries in the Czech Republic, currently it has 24 member universities. The main objectives are as follows: to promote, develop and support academic libraries in the Czech Republic; to represent academic libraries during negotiations about State Information Policy and the national library system; to advocate for university libraries and facilitate their negotiations with information providers in order to improve opportunities for cost-efficient purchase and licensing of electronic information resources; to provide a platform for collaboration and partnership in various areas of interests on both national and international levels.
National Library
National Library of the Czech Republic / Národní knihovna České republiky (NK ČR)
The National Library is established by the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic. It is the centre of the system of libraries within which it performs coordination, professional, information, educational, analytical, research, standardizing, methodical and advisory activities. It is a library with a universal library collection complemented by specialized collections. It acquires, preserves, continuously updates, and provides access to rich collections of both domestic and foreign documents, especially of Bohemica and documents from the social and natural sciences areas. It has in its permanent keeping a conservation collection and a historical collection.
Policy Making Institutions
Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic / Ministerstvo kultury České republiky
The Ministry of Culture is the central State administrative body for the arts, cultural and educational activities, cultural monuments, matters relating to churches and religious societies, matters relating to press, including publication of the non-periodical press and other information means, the preparation of drat laws and other legal regulations in the area of radio and television broadcasting, implementation of the Copyright Act, production and trade in the area of culture. The Literature and Libraries Division fulfils the tasks of the Ministry as the central governmental link for the area of literature, book culture, non-periodical press and librarianship.
Library Support Organisations
There are no library support organisations in Czechia.
National Policy for Libraries
The Strategy for the Development of Libraries in the Czech Republic for 2017–2020 / Koncepce rozvoje knihoven v České republice na léta 2017-2020
The Strategy evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of library activities, identifies threats to the system of libraries if it does not sufficiently reflect the changing social demand, and it actively uses the potential of the opportunities offered to the libraries. The Strategy represents the priority areas to ensure the future development of libraries.
The Strategy for the Development of Libraries in the Czech Republic for 2021-2027 with a view to 2030 / Koncepce rozvoje knihoven v České republice na léta 2021-2027 s výhledem do roku 2030
This Strategy is a follow-up to the document The Strategy for the Development of Libraries in the Czech Republic for 2017–2020. The Strategy formulates the basic vision of the development of the library system within the three basic pillars: Libraries as pillars of civil society and natural centres of communities, Libraries as educational and training supporting institutions and Libraries as administrators of cultural and knowledge wealth.
Library Law
Law No. 257/2001 Coll. of 29 June 2001 on Libraries and Terms of Operating Public Library and Information Services (Library Act) / Zákon 257/2001 Sb. ze dne 29. června 2001, o knihovnách a podmínkách provozování veřejných knihovnických a informačních služeb (Knihovní zákon)
Adopted in 2001, last amended in 2017, this Act regulates the system of libraries providing public library and information services and the conditions of their operation. Libraries covered by this act can obtain state benefits (e.g., in the form of targeted subsidies), and they enjoy an exclusive position as to other related laws and legislative standards (e.g., the copyright act, accounting act). The library act is linked up with other regulations and recommendations which regulate certain areas of library activities such as inter-library loan services, rules for providing financial subsidies, and standards for providing public library services.
Legal Deposit Law
Act No. 37/ 1995 Coll., on Non-periodical Publications / Zákon č. 37/1995 Sb., o neperiodických publikacích
Legal deposit copy of non-periodical publications is governed by the Act No. 37/ 1995 Coll., on Non-periodical Publications, last amended in 2017. In principle, a publisher is obliged to submit two legal deposit copies to the National Library of the Czech Republic, one to the Moravian Library in Brno, one to the Olomouc Research Library, one regional legal deposit copy to the Municipal Library Prague and regional research library according to the location of the publishers´ office, and one copy of Braille publications to the K. E. Macan Library and Printing Office for the Blind. The law nonetheless does not cover e.g., audiovisual works, wall maps, or computer programmes.
Act No. 46/2000 Coll., on the rights and duties in issuing periodical press and amending some other laws (the Press Act) / Zákon č. 46/2000 Sb., o právech a povinnostech při vydávání periodického tisku a o změně některých dalších zákonů (tiskový zákon)
Legal deposit of periodicals is governed by the Act No. 46/2000 Coll., on the rights and duties in issuing periodical press and amending some other laws (the Press Act), last amended in 2017. Pursuant to this law publishers are obliged to submit copies of printed periodicals to selected libraries. The law provides for a list of recipients, including the National Library, the Moravian Regional Library, the Parliamentary library, regional libraries, the Municipal Library in Prague, the National Museum Library, the Ministry of Culture CR, and the K. E. Macan Library and Printing Office for the Blind.
Copyright Law & Library Exceptions and Limitations
Act No. 121/2000, on Copyright and Rights Related to Copyright and on Amendment to Certain Acts (the Copyright Act) / Zákon č. 121/2000, o právu autorském, o právech souvisejících s právem autorským a o změně některých zákonů (autorský zákon)
The current Copyright Law was adopted in 2000. The law is being constantly amended; the last updates were issued in 2021, and further ones can be expected in order to implement the EU Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market.
Exceptions and limitations for libraries
The exceptions or limitations of copyright related to the activities and services of libraries, archives, museums, galleries, schools, universities and other non-profit school related and educational establishments are provided in Art. 37, called Library Licence.
These include exceptions for conservation and archiving purposes, for replacement (where there is no commercial copy readily available), providing access on dedicated terminals (i.e., a library may make works belonging to its own collection available digitally on site to the public for research or private study), lending (with public lending right payable except by school, university and various national library institutions), cataloguing. There is also a broad exception for copying (although with the possibility for remuneration) and special rules for orphan works.
The free use of works is permissible only in the cases, specified by the law, under the condition that it does not conflict with the normal exploitation of the work and the legitimate interests of the author are not impaired.
Professional Qualification Requirements
There is no information available.
Education
Education
There are three Universities in the Czech Republic currently providing university degree education in Libraries and Information Science:
- Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Arts, Institute of Information Science and Librarianship,
- Masaryk University in Brno, Faculty of Arts, Department of Information and Library Studies,
- Silesian University, Faculty of Philosophy and Science in Opava, Institute of the Czech Language and Library Science, and Institute of Informatics.
Higher vocational education is offered by two high schools. High Vocational School in Information Studies in Prague and Business Academy and Secondary Vocational School and Higher Vocational School in Brno.
The vocational qualification can be also obtained by validation of non-formal and informal learning. Vocational qualifications are awarded according to the act 179/2006 by authorized bodies in accordance with the relevant evaluation standards. There are currently four authorized organization: National Library CR, Moravian Library, Jiří Mahen Library and Moravian-Silesian Research Library in Ostrava.
The system of education of librarians is complemented with training courses organized through library associations or large libraries.
Professional Publications
Bulletin SKIP
Published by the Association of Library and Information Professionals of the Czech Republic (SKIP). It comes out 4 times a year with one yearly special issue. Thematically, it focuses on the field of librarianship and includes both professional contributions and contributions dealing with the SKIP activities.
The Reader – Library monthly / Čtenář - měsíčník pro knihovny
Published by the Central Bohemian Research Library. The Reader is the oldest nationwide continuously published library magazine, founded in 1949. It contributes to the exchange of experiences and inspires libraries of various types, sizes and specializations throughout the Czech Republic.
The Library – Library review / Knihovna - knihovnická revue
Published by the National Library of the Czech Republic twice a year. It publishes theoretical studies in the field of Library Science and brings information about successful projects of both Czech and foreign libraries. This journal provides a platform for publishing the results of theoretical studies in the field of librarianship which could be used in practice. This general library professional journal brings reports from conferences, seminars and other library events and informs about new Czech and foreign publications from the field of librarianship. Since 2008 the main papers have been going through an independent peer-review procedure.
Professional Events
Library Week
The nationwide library week usually takes place during the first week of October. It is organised by the Association of Library and Information Professionals of the Czech Republic, which selects a different topic for each year and invites libraries to join the celebration around selected topic. Libraries across the country provide various events and activities during the week to raise an awareness of opportunities and value of libraries for their users.
Libraries of the Present
This annual three-day conference organised by The Czech Republic’s Library Association and the Central Library Board of the Czech Republic is traditionally held in September. The purpose of this event is to bring together library and information professionals to discuss and share best practices in the profession. The current topics of the conference are chosen with regard to the needs and new challenges libraries are facing.
Conference Archives, Libraries, Museums in the Digital World
The traditional annual conference held at the beginning of December. The conference is devoted to the issue of cooperation of archives, libraries, museums, galleries and monument care in the use of information and communication technologies for the protection and access to cultural heritage.