Library Laws

In 2015, a new law for the public library sector (Wsob) came into force. This law describes a.o. the core functions of libraries and the roles of parties involved. It also states that the highly decentralized library sector constitutes a network for which the national government, provincial governments and municipalities are jointly responsible. Municipalities and Provinces (represented by, respectively, VNG (Vereniging Nederlandse Gemeente) and IPO (Interprovinciaal Overleg) are responsible for the physical domain. The national government (Ministry for Education, Culture and Science - OCW) is responsible for the digital domain as well as the effectiveness and coherence of the library system as a whole. The execution of the OCW tasks is carried out by the National Library (KB). According to the new law public libraries should give the general public access to information and culture, guided by principles such as independence, credibility, accessibility, pluralism and authenticity. Their concrete tasks are making available knowledge and information, facilitating learning, promoting reading and a taste of literature, promoting arts and culture, and organising social encounters and debate. The new law also defines the scope of the digital library and arranges its funding.

The purpose of the Library Act is to contribute to the cultural development of the nation and society, such as the efficient furnishing and circulation of materials to the whole society, narrowing of the gap in the access to and utilization of information, promotion of lifelong education, etc. by fostering libraries and by revitalizing their services through prescribing matters necessary for social responsibilities and role performance of libraries that guarantee people's right of access to information and people's right to know. The Act applies to the National Library of Korea, regional representative libraries, public libraries, university libraries, school libraries, special libraries, as well as to information offices, information centres, data bureaus, data centres, cultural centres or facilities with a similar name and function.

The purpose of this Act is to provide for the organisation, duties and other necessary matters of the National Assembly Library.

The purpose of this Act is to contribute to promoting competitiveness in education and research of universities through the promotion of university libraries by prescribing matters concerning the establishment and operation of and support to university libraries.

The purpose of this Act is to contribute to the substance of public education and the development of local lifelong education through the promotion of school libraries by prescribing all matters concerning the establishment/operation/support of school libraries, which are basic facilities for school education.

The purpose of this Act is to contribute to strengthening national competitiveness, guaranteeing citizens equal opportunities to engage in reading culture activities, and improving the quality of their life by providing for fundamental matters regarding the promotion of reading culture so as to improve citizens' intellectual powers and emotional health and prepare the groundwork for lifelong learning.

The purpose of the law is to strengthen the role of the library in modern society through its development as a public service to ensure access to reading and development of interest in information, learning, education and research, cultural activities, and through enhancing the capacity of library involvement in the transfer of knowledge and free education opinions.

Federal law regulates the general principles of librarianship, the relationship between the state, citizens, enterprises, institutions, and other organizations in the field of librarianship in accordance with the principles and norms of international law.  It establishes the principles of library activities that guarantee the rights of individuals, non-governmental organisations, nations and ethnic groups to have free access to information, unrestricted personal development, the use of national and global cultural assets, as well as cultural, scientific and educational activities.

The law applies to public library, community and school libraries. It covers establishment of the Public Library, appointment of librarian officers and servants, establishment of public library board, chairperson of the board, meeting, powers and functions of the board, regulations, financial and penalties. It is issued in 1951, then amended in 1953 and revised in 2005.

The Act, last amended on 31 January 2019, sets out the establishment, constitution, functions and powers of the National Library Board (NLB).

The first Reading Law of its kind that establishes legislative frameworks, executive programs, and specific government responsibilities to inculcate the value of reading in the United Arab Emirates. The Law aims to support the development of human capital, contribute to building mental and cognitive capabilities, support national intellectual production, and build knowledge societies in the country.