The core functions of the National Library of Latvia (NLL) are the collection of national literature, its perpetual storage and the long-term provision of access to it. The collection of the NLL exceeds 4.2 million units. Most library activities and events are intended to support higher education, research and life-long learning. The NLL is the advisory and professional support center for all libraries in Latvia. The Library operates as the centre of Latvia’s Interlibrary Loan system, ISBN, ISSN and ISMN centre, provides library and information services to the Saeima (parliament), and is implementing library-sector standardisation.

The Ministry of Culture is the state governed institution, which organizes and coordinates state culture policy, social integration policy and media policy. The Ministry of Culture has the following areas of responsibility: Copyrights and Neighbouring Rights, Libraries, Museums, Music, Fine Art, Folk Art and non-material heritage, Theatre, Literature, Film Art, Cultural Education, Protection of Monuments, Archives, Architecture, Design, Creative Industries and Dancing Art. The Libraries and Archives Division is a separate structural unit within the Cultural Policy Department, which deals with policy and legislation for the sector of libraries as well as registration and accreditation of libraries.

The Culture Information Systems Centre was founded in 1997 as the library consortium aiming at implementation of the State Unified Libraries Information System to connect eight libraries of the national importance in one network. The areas of operation of the CISC were later expanded to other heritage and memory institutions including archives and museums. Now, the CISC is the implementing agency under the Ministry of Culture and is responsible for implementation of all national technology, software development, capacity building and training programmes in the field of archives, libraries and museums, including the implementation of public library development project “Father’s Third Son” (2006-2013).

The Foundation plays a significant role in fundraising and supporting the National Library of Latvia and all public libraries throughout Latvia. It is a non-profit, public benefit organization established in 1998. For over 20 years, the Foundation has organised charitable events and projects, reaching out to donors with the aim to support the development and modernisation of public libraries, to enrich their collections, popularise reading and the use of library space.

The Foundation has raised over 2 million euros in donations, and the nameplates of the most generous donors are placed throughout the National Library of Latvia: on chairs, tables and shelves in the reading rooms or on the Donors’ Wall in the Lobby.

Adopted in 1998 and last amended in 2014, the Library Act applies to all libraries which directly or indirectly receives funding from the state budget and/or municipal budgets as well as to all registered private libraries in Latvia. The aim of the Law is to regulate the library field and the work of libraries as well as to promote preservation and development of Latvian cultural heritage. The Library Act regulates the legal basis for the operation of libraries, library operation principles, library functions, duties, rights, etc. Several Government regulations are issued according to the Library Act, which determine the number and education of library staff, building of library collections, library funding, etc.

Adopted in 1993 and last amended in 2012, the Act on the National Library of Latvia regulates the operation of the National Library of Latvia, describes sources of collection development, sets out functions and tasks of the National Library as well as regulates legal status, administration and financial activities of the National Library of Latvia.

Adopted in 2006, the Law prescribes the procedures by which the legal deposit copies intended for public use shall be supplied to the National Library of Latvia, the procedure by which the legal deposit copies shall be distributed among other libraries as referred by Law, as well as the procedures by which the National Library of Latvia shall harvest and archive online publications and perform the control of the delivery of the legal deposit copies. The purpose of the Law is to ensure the permanent preservation, processing and public use of the national cultural heritage – all the printed publications, unconventional or “grey” literature, electronic publications and online publications in Latvia. Deposited material, including online publications and harvested websites, can be accessed on-site. Deposited material serves as a foundation for the national bibliography and national publishing statistics.
Legal deposit libraries:

• National Library of Latvia;
• Academic Library of the University of Latvia;
• 4 university libraries;
• 2 regional libraries;
• Latvian Library for the Blind.

In 2017, a proposal for the new Legal Deposit Act by the National Library of Latvia was submitted to the Ministry of Culture.

The current Copyright Law was adopted in 2000 when it replaced the Law on Copyright and Related Rights from 1993. The law is being constantly amended; last updates are issued in 2017.

The Law includes exceptions for the needs of libraries, archives and libraries which include preservation and replacement (to replace works in the permanent collections or to preserve the work that has been damaged or has become unusable), for research or study (at request making available works in the permanent collections with exception of computer programmes), reproduced copies can be made available within a safe network (intranet).

The University of Latvia Faculty of Social Sciences hosts the Department of Information and Library Studies which offers bachelor studies in information management and master’s degree studies in library and information science.

The Latvian Culture College offers professional higher education study programme “Library Science and Information”. After graduation students receive diploma of 1st level professional higher education and obtain the qualification of Library Information Specialist.

The National Library of Latvia, which has a status of institution of professional continuing education and professional development for adults, provides professional continuing education study programme for librarians. After graduation students receive qualification of Librarian (3rd level professional qualification level).

The Latvian Libraries Portal is an internet portal of the field, which ensures information about libraries of Latvia, their resources and offered services, as well as aggregates information about news and events in libraries and related fields and provide librarians with professional information. It offers a single platform for the exchange of professional information between libraries, librarians and users.

The national library week, celebrated annually since 1997, usually takes place during third week of April. It is a tradition initiated by the Library Association of Latvia (LAL), 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 different communities. In 2017, the Library Week featured the contribution of libraries to the Sustainable Development Goals aiming at raising awareness among different stakeholders about the value and role of libraries in development of communities.

The event, organised annually by the Library Association of Latvia in close cooperation with the National Library of Latvia, usually takes place during the month of April, close to Library Week, and consists of three main parts: Conference of Latvia librarians (and the Congress of LAL members); Awards Ceremony (the Library of the Year, the Librarian of the Year, etc.), and the Market of Ideas (an interactive exhibition aimed at peer sharing and learning).

The National Library of Latvia every year organises Round Table Discussions for Latvian academic, special and public library directors, managers and specialists. The annual event takes place in the first quarter of the year, and is focused on discussion of previous year’s achievements and challenges, exchange of ideas and experience as well as defining next years priorities. After the event, the National Library prepares a summary paper which serves as an annual repport of Latvian library field.