Library Laws

The Public Libraries and Museums Act addresses the provision of public library services in England. It creates an obligation on Local Government to provide 'comprehensive and efficient' library services, although it stops short of defining these. It also provides central Government (through DCMS) with powers to oversee ('super-intend') library services. The law was last amended in 2015, although it should be noted that during the pandemic, there were also a number of emergency legal instruments that also impacted on libraries.

The Resolution sets out the legal and organisational framework for improving information and library services across the Republic of Uzbekistan. It applies to all state and public libraries, local government bodies, ministries, departments, and other organisations involved in the development of library services. Its main objectives are to ensure equal access to information resources for the population, preserve and promote national and global cultural and scientific heritage, and introduce modern information and communication technologies into library work. The Resolution places particular emphasis on developing the National Electronic Library and regional information and library centres. Key areas addressed include the organisation of library services, the regulation and coordination of library networks, infrastructure modernisation, and the digitisation of collections. The Resolution also outlines measures for managing library personnel, including continuous professional development, retraining of librarians, and attracting young specialists to the sector.

The Act provides for the establishment of the National Library and Documentation Service (NLDS) and the establishment of a Council to advise on the administration of the NLDS. The Act also applies to affiliate libraries which are registered with the NLDS as well as to constituent libraries which are staffed by public officers and which the NLDS administers; these include government ministerial and deparmental libraries, government educational libraries, and other libraries. The act aims at (i) promoting the widespread enjoyment in Zimbabwe of publications of an educational, scientific, cultural, recreational or sporting value; (ii) ensuring, maintaining and developing a high standard of library facilities; (iii) operating a documentation facility and an inter-library loan facility; and (iv) training librarians and to ensure, maintain, co-ordinate and develop a high standard of librarianship. There are plans to have the Act reviewed or replaced with the National Library Council Bill.