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Unit 12: Library Legislation
12.1.1 Characteristics of Library Legislation Notes
Some of the important characteristics of library legislation are given below:
The library legislation must be simple and general. It should also allow future modification
or development.
It must be free from political influence or political changes.
It must define the respective responsibilities of the local, state and national government.
It must make the library service compulsory and free to one and all.
It should create conditions for libraries to flourish.
It must coordinate and control library activities in full recognition of the people to have
free access to the information and knowledge.
It must meet every interest of its reader.
Different tasks can be assigned to different types of libraries based on specialization to
ensure a better service to the community with the least cost.
It also must take into account the other types of libraries.
12.1.2 Benefits of Library Legislation
A Library Act provides the following benefits:
Helps in the establishment of an organized network of public libraries.
A sound administrative setup.
Proper and continuous financial support.
Coordination in administration and management of public libraries.
Centralized services like purchase, processing, bibliographical and other services can be
provided conveniently.
Possibility of providing quality library service, at qualified hands, free of charge.
12.1.3 Functions of Library Legislation
The Advisory committee for Libraries constituted by the Government of India (1958) proposed
the following functions of library legislation:
It should clearly define the government’s responsibility in the matter of public libraries.
Legislation should lay down the constitution and functions of the library authority at
national, state and district levels.
Legislation should provide an assured basis for library finance. There are two ways of
providing a firm basis for library finance.
12.1.4 Role of Different Bodies in the Process of Enacting Library
Legislation
In the process of enacting the library legislation, the levying of library cess should not be the
pre-condition. Otherwise, it will lose the support of the general public or other members of the
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