Library Laws

Community libraries are freely created, organised and financed by associations within the framework of the Law of 1st July 1901 (amended several times) on the contract of association.

The French Code of Criminal Procedure provides a framework for socio-cultural activities in prisons. Measures to prepare prisoners for their return to society may allow libraries to be set up. In addition, in the regulatory section of the French Code of Criminal Procedure, the article 19 of the standard prison regulation states that "detainees may have access to written and audiovisual publications via the media library of the prison and local libraries that are partners of the prison administration".

Since Ordinance no. 2017-1386 of 22 September 2017, on the new organisation of social and economic dialogue within the company, the Social and Economic Committee has been responsible for, supervises or participates in the management of all social and cultural activities established within the company, primarily for the benefit of employees, their families and trainees, regardless of how they are financed, under conditions determined by decree in the Conseil d'Etat.

The Law regulates the main issues of the organisation of librarianship and the library relationships of natural and legal persons in accordance with the provisions of international law and its principles.

This law regulates the tasks, competences and organisation of the German National Library.

This law covers establishment and operations of public libraries. The Act was issued in 1970 (ACT 327).

The Law concerns the National Library of Greece and the public libraries. The issues covered include the legal status, the objectives, the administrative structure, the funding and the personnel management. The Law is in force since 2003.  Some amendments of this law regarding the National Library of Greece have been made in 2017.

This Law concerns the public libraries in Greece. It mainly covers regulation issues and determines the public library services. The law is in force since 2017.

The Law concerns the public primary school libraries. It covers the objectives of the public primary school libaries as well as regulation, staff and material management issues. The Law is in force since 2018.

This law is based on The Public Libraries Code No. 40 of 1974, which laid the foundational framework for Iraq’s public library system. The 1974 law introduced national objectives for cultural development, educational support, and geographic distribution of services—many of which informed the structure of the 1996 system.   The objectives of introducing the law included:

• Enhancing the cultural and scientific standards of citizens and increasing their awareness.
• Collaborating with other libraries, particularly school libraries, to provide library services to students for their readings, research, and reports.
• Organising exhibitions and publications that contribute to the professional development of citizens and enable them to access appropriate scientific resources for their professions and work.
• Establishing conferences and study sessions within Iraq or participating in them, as well as participating in conferences and courses outside Iraq related to library work and its development.
• Developing library services for children by establishing specialized libraries for them or creating dedicated sections within public libraries, equipped with necessary books, publications, and other materials.
• Distributing current and new public libraries in a manner that aligns with the actual needs of beneficiaries in the geographical area.

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.