Page 231 - DLIS001_FOUNDATION_OF_LIBRARY_AND_INFORMATION_SCIENCE

Foundation of Library and Information Science

Notes society. The following roles can be played by different bodies in the process of enacting the
library legislation in respective states.

Library Association: The local as well as the state and national level library associations
can lay down a strategy to get the public legislation passed. They can utilize various
media and platforms to propagate the idea of library legislation. Members of the state
assembly, especially the concerned ministers should be approached and be presented a
strong case for library legislation. Indian Library legislation must provide all the support
and guidance needed for the purpose.
Library Professionals: The library professionals should make the general as well as the
elite people aware about the significant role that can be played by the library. They should
first do so through their services in the organization in which they are working and then
through newspapers, radio, television, etc.
Elite Groups: The elite have the responsibility of framing policies, procedures etc. As the
leader of the society they also have the hidden responsibility to give the people the best
they can. As such, considering the role that can be played by the library they should take
upon themselves the responsibilities of awakening the general public about the library
services, facilities, etc.
Political Leader and General Public: Leaders, who matter in decision making, be given
special attention in enacting library legislation. The general people should also give
pressure to enact the library legislation.

Self Assessment

State whether the following statements are true or false:

1. The library legislation must be simple and general.
2. The library legislation must not make the library service compulsory.
3. Similar tasks can be assigned to different types of libraries based on specialization to
ensure a better service to the community with the least cost.
12.2 History of Library Legislation

In ancient India learning was the concern of the Brahmin and the common man had to depend
for his enlightenment on the spoken words of gurus. General people were also accustomed to
this oral tradition of learning and, as a result in ancient India there was no tradition of public
library legislation.

12.2.1 Before Independence

Pre independence India shows some of the significant steps in implementing the library
legislation, which can be summarized as follows:
The Press and Registration of Books Act (1867): The Press and Registration of Books Act was
passed in 1867 for the British India. This Act was for the regulation of printing-presses and
newspapers for the preservation of copies of books and newspapers printed in India and
for the registration of such books and newspapers. It helped some specific libraries to get
some copies of books free of cost and to maintain a continuous catalogue of early printed
books in the country. In terms of this Act, the publisher or the printer of every book or
newspaper was to send a copy of the book or newspaper to the Secretary of state for India,
another copy to the Governor General in Council and still another to the local government.

226 LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY