The role of the National Library of Israel is to collect, preserve, cultivate and endow the treasures of knowledge, heritage and culture in general, in all languages and with an emphasis on the Land of Israel, the State of Israel and the Jewish people in particular.

The Department of Libraries is responsible for the establishment, cultivation and supervision of 210 public library networks, with about 680 libraries. In addition, it is responsible for the implementation of the Public Libraries Law and implementing the recommendations of the Council for Public Libraries.
Its functions include: budgeting, encouraging and funding cultural activities in libraries, promoting computerization, training and professional advancement of librarians, developing innovative projects and assisting in projects upgrading libraries, encouraging reading and integrating libraries in the community, and awarding prizes to outstanding librarians.

The Council for Higher Education (CHE) is the official authority for higher education in Israel and determines policy for the higher education system (including its libraries).The CHE was founded in 1958 as an independent and unaffiliated statutory corporation, as a result of the Council for Higher Education Law. The law was designed to separate politics and higher education, and to grant the CHE autonomy and academic freedom.

The Planning and Budgeting Committee (PBC) is responsible for the funding of all higher education in Israel.The PBC defines the regular budget allocated to academic institutions, as well as their development budgets, while considering social and national needs and priorities. It strives to promote research and education in Israel and to maintain the academic and administrative freedom of all institutions.

The aim of the Israeli Center for Libraries is to advance and foster libraries, librarianship, information science and the culture of books and reading in Israel. Founded in 1975, it is an independent body specializing in supplying professional service to libraries, librarians, those dealing with information and the publishing industry. For the past 50 years the Center has continuously provided services and products to more than 5,000 libraries and organizations and to over 6,000 librarians and information specialists. It also compiled the 1996 Israeli Librarians’ Code of Ethics (which was translated to English and approved by IFLA in 2012).

Yad Hanadiv is an organization that is dedicated to creating resources for advancing Israel as a healthy, vibrant, democratic society. It is committed to Jewish values and equal opportunity for the benefit of all its inhabitants, carrying forward the philanthropic tradition of the Rothschild family. It cooperated with the University of Haifa and the National Library on the JSTOR project to digitize and make available the complete back runs of core Hebrew-Language journals and is currently cooperating with the National Library in planning a state-of-the-art, 21st century National Library for the State of Israel.

The IUCC was established in 1984 by Israel’s research universities and operates as a non-profit organization. Through its centers and divisions, IUCC delivers communication and network infrastructure services, digital information services, learning technologies, as well as operating and handling all inter-university joint procurement and the legal aspects of operating Israel’s National Research and Education Network (NREN). IUCC promotes cooperation in these areas among member institutions, and between research institutes and organizations.

MALMAD was established in 1998 by the Committee of University Heads (VERA) as a support unit of the Inter University Computation Center (IUCC). Its serves as a consortium for the acquisition, licensing and operation of information services to universities and colleges in Israel. The MALMAD member institutions are the eight universities of Israel and 51 colleges and research institutes with Associate Member status that subscribe selectively to various services.

The purpose of the National Library Law is to provide for the existence of a National Library in Israel, to determine its objectives and roles, regulate its activities, and enable its development in order to achieve these goals.

The 1975 Public Library Law states that the local authorities are in charge of maintaining and supervising free public library services. It does not stipulate the size of the budget provided by the state. The 2007 amendment specifies that at least 50% of the libraries’ operating budgets should be covered by the state, with increased funding over the next five years, and that the local authorities should provide the remainder.

The 1999 Freedom of Information Law mandates that every resident and citizen of Israel has the right to receive information from a public authority, in accordance with specifications of the law.The law grants Israeli citizens the right to obtain information from any government department about its activities, statistical data, personal information, etc. The law also stipulates the types of information that may not be released, or that may only be released according to the judgment of the Ministry. An individual may request information with no explanation required, and the officer in charge of freedom of information is obliged to investigate the request and respond according to the guidelines mandated by the law.

The Books Law obligates anyone who publishes more than 50 copies of a book, newspaper, journal, map, brochure, flyer, or poster (and not to a closed group) to provide the National Library with two copies within a month of publication. As of June 2001, the law also includes publications which are not printed on paper, such as audio visual materials and digital publications of books, journals, newspapers, databases and internet sites.
The law does not state the preservation responsibilities of the library as regards deposited material, but it prohibits it from selling the materials, but allows the transfer to other entities if there is no payment.
The law states that the library must preserve and make its collections publicly-available, including those received via legal deposit. On-site use of library materials is free, but deposited materials may not be borrowed. Digital access is available for a small amount of deposited items and is subject to authorization from the copyright holder.

Israel’s 2007 Copyright Law, which replaced the 1911 British Copyright Act, provides comprehensive protection and is compliant with Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). However, it is not bound by the World Intellectual Property Organization Copyright Treaty (WCT).

The Forum for Accessible Education (composed of of academic librarians, law professors and lawyers) compiled a Code of Best Practices in 2010 to aid librarians in interpreting the law, and specifically Fair Use. The law permits basic library activities such as lending and copying within the framework of Fair Use, and also permits copying for preservation purposes. Israel has had a Public Lending Right scheme (but not a law) since 1986 which aims to ensure that writers and poets are paid when their works are loaned by public libraries (not including the National Library). Libraries do not need to pay for other uses of works. The law does not take account of digital uses (i.e. digital lending / document supply / digitization). The law allows libraries to adapt copies of works for people with print disabilities. There are significant copyright challenges for Israeli libraries as although the law permits fair use, its definition is vague, and as there are not enough legal precedents to guide libraries and their users, libraries are afraid to make extensive use of the fair use clause. Israel does not have a representative body of all copyright owners (other than the rights of music creators) so libraries cannot reach broad agreements or sign sweeping authorization contracts with rights holders. The National Library and the Ministry of Justice are trying to reform the law so that it will be easier for libraries and archives to scan and make accessible orphaned works whose protection period has not yet ended.

Bar Ilan University’s Department of Information Science offers three degree programs: BA, MIS, PhD and is the only department in Israel that is a member of the international organization iSchools.
The University of Haifa’s Department of Information and Knowledge Management offers a MA program, and its Library and Information Studies Program offers a Post-Graduate Diploma in Librarianship.
David Yellin Academic College offers a M.Ed program in Information and Library Science in Educational Systems, Oranim Academic College offer a course in Library and Information Science aimed primarily at teachers, the Western Galilee Academic College offers a librarianship course as part of their Multi-Disciplinary BA program.The Technion’s Further Studies’ Unit in Tel Aviv, and the Open University’s External Studies’ School for Managers both offer professional courses on library management.

Meida’at is a Hebrew-Language academic, professional, peer-reviewed, open access journal dealing with various aspects of librarianship, information and archiving. Its purpose is to present professional research and discuss current issues in the field, in order to contribute to academic activities and to promote libraries, archives, information and cultural centers. It is intended for academics, students and library personnel. It is published on an annual basis.

Israel has held an annual national Hebrew Book Week for thee past 57 years at dozens of locations throughout the country, including libraries. Each location provides a variety of cultural events including meetings with authors, lectures, live musical performances plus events and activities for children and young adults including live performances based on classic children’s literature.

The annual INFO Conference and Exhibition is Israel’s most prestigious professional information event for over three decades. It stands for the values of the Israeli information community for creating change and empowering individuals and organizations.
The conference attracts all leading information providers including academic libraries, the medical community, cooperates and government institutions, and international publishers. It serves as a central meeting place for all participants in Israel’s information market for listening, learning and gaining access to the latest information in the field.

The Israeli Center for Libraries produces an annual conference for librarians and information specialists. It is one of the most important in its field in Israel, with multimedia displays and exhibitions from around the world. It is an important opportunity to exchange of information and share personal experiences. Lecturers include renowned professionals from Israel and abroad such as academics, writers and poets, public figures and businessmen. This annual conference is intended for all professionals and specialists working in libraries, information centers and archives, including colleges, universities, research institutes, the army, public libraries, bloggers and researchers.