Library Laws

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.

Last amended in 2019, the law mainly covers the operation of public libraries in Japan.

Last amended in 2022, the law covers the operation of the National Diet Library of Japan.

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.

The law is aimed at maintaining existing strong public libraries (not creating new ones and not support weak ones).

Since 1912 (the law of the 10.08.1912 was abolished by the one of the 06.02.2009) libraries in primary schools are compulsory.

The current state before the law of the 25.06.2004 was that almost every secondary school already owned a library. Since 2004, for every old and new establishment, a library is compulsory.

Since 1970 a library in every penitentiary establishment is compulsory and access to the collections is guaranteed.

The Law, issued in 1972, covers all libraries and related organisations in Malaysia. It includes (a) Establishment and Management of National Library (b) Establishment of Advisory Board (c) Establishment of National Library  Fund and (d) Miscellaneous.

The aim of the law, issued in 2000, is to provide for the establishment of the Namibia Library and Information Service, the National Library and the Namibia Library Information Council. To provide for the implementation of legal deposit and for incidental matters. To provide information and training to or conduct research on behalf of that library. Monitor adherence to the conditions of affiliation by that library.

The directives were prepared based on the library and information national policy. The scope of the directives includes about central, district, and public/community libraries committees and their rights and duties, the registration process of the public and community libraries. When these directives were issued, there was a unitary government system in Nepal. After implementing the federal government system, they need amendments as per the government system.