Policy Making Institutions

The overall current strategy for Irish Public Libraries is set by the Libraries Development Committee reporting into the LGMA and government Department of Rural and Community Development.

The Department of Libraries is responsible for the establishment, cultivation and supervision of 210 public library networks, with about 680 libraries. In addition, it is responsible for the implementation of the Public Libraries Law and implementing the recommendations of the Council for Public Libraries. Its functions include: budgeting, encouraging and funding cultural activities in libraries, promoting computerization, training and professional advancement of librarians, developing innovative projects and assisting in projects upgrading libraries, encouraging reading and integrating libraries in the community, and awarding prizes to outstanding librarians.

The Council for Higher Education (CHE) is the official authority for higher education in Israel and determines policy for the higher education system (including its libraries).The CHE was founded in 1958 as an independent and unaffiliated statutory corporation, as a result of the Council for Higher Education Law. The law was designed to separate politics and higher education, and to grant the CHE autonomy and academic freedom.

The Planning and Budgeting Committee (PBC) is responsible for the funding of all higher education in Israel.The PBC defines the regular budget allocated to academic institutions, as well as their development budgets, while considering social and national needs and priorities. It strives to promote research and education in Israel and to maintain the academic and administrative freedom of all institutions.

The Ministry is responsible for the development of related laws and regulations, compilation of library-related proposals, and implementation of various surveys and studies, including the promotion of children's reading activities.

The Agency has a responsibility for copyright law.

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.

Finance the national library and distribute subsidies to public libraries.

MOTAC is a ministry of the Government of Malaysia that is responsible for tourism, culture, archives, library, museum, heritage, arts, theatre, handicraft, visual arts, convention, exhibitions, Islamic tourism, and craft.

The main objective of the Council is to promote the development and use of Library, Archives and information resources in Namibia for the benefit of the people of Namibia. The composition of the Council allows for representation by professional and interest groups on both local and regional to advise the Minister on the most effective means of ensuring access to information and knowledge in support of quality education, training and development, self-empowerment and lifelong learning. The Council members are being appointed by the Minister of Education, Arts and Culture as mandated by the Namibia Library and Information Services Act, Act No. 4 of 2000.

MoEST, formerly Ministry of Education (MoE), is one of the main policy making institution of Nepal in the National level. All the Library related policies and plans are endorsed through the School Education Division, Library Coordination and Record Management Section of the Ministry. Currently, draft reports of National book policy, Library Master Plan and Library Automation Plan have been submitted to the Ministry. Ministry is working on to finalize these documents. There are 753 local levels including Municipalities (Metropolitans, Sub-metropolitans, Municipalities and Rural Municipalities). Each local level is responsible to plan and implement the public and community libraries.

The Ministry has the following objectives:

• To ensure that everyone gets a good education
• To ensure that everyone is prepared for personal independance and responsibility
• To ensure that everyone has the opportunity to experience and enjoy culture
• To ensure that teachers, artists, and scientists are able to carry out their work