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Unit 12: Library Legislation

1. Funds for the encouragement of literature (1898): Literature Funding is a unique funding Notes
scheme which takes writers, playwrights, poets, storytellers and their work to every
corner of the society. Literature Funding financially supports large number of events a
year in schools, libraries, writers groups, prisons, hospitals, community groups, museums,
arts centres and festivals throughout. The aims are to support writers; improve access to
literature; encourage reading and creative writing; and to place literature at the centre of
cultural life of Scotland. Libraries are funded through a wide combination of sources, the
most significant which is usually local or municipal funding. The citizens who use a local
library support it via the city or country government, or through an independent library
district, which is a local government body that has independent leadership and may levy
its own library tax. Local funding may be supplemented by other government funding.
Library “friends” groups, activist boards, and well organized book sales also supplement
government funding. Funding has always been an important part of the definition of a
public library. However, with local governments facing financial pressures due to the
Great Recession, some libraries have explored ways supplement public funding. Cafes,
bakeries, bookstores, gift shops and similar commercial endeavors are common features
of new and urban libraries.
2. Imperial Library Act (1902): An Act to confirm and validate certain indentures made
between the Agricultural and Horticultural Society of India and the Calcutta Public Library,
respectively, and the Secretary of State for India in Council.

Whereas an indenture, a copy whereof is set forth in the first schedule, was expressed to be
made, on the tenth day of April, 1901, between the Agricultural and Horticultural Society
of India, of the first part, the president and members for the time being of the said
Agricultural and Horticultural Society, of the second part, and the Secretary of State for
India in Council of the third part;
And whereas an indenture, a copy whereof is set forth in the second schedule, was expressed
to be made, on the twentieth day of December, 1901, between the Calcutta Public Library,
of the first part, the vice-president for the time being of the said Calcutta Public Library, of
the second part, the members for the time being of the Council of the said Calcutta Public
Library, of the third part, and the said Secretary of State in Council of the fourth part;
And whereas the said indentures respectively purport to grant and transfer, for
consideration, unto the said Secretary of State in Council absolutely the land described
therein, or in the schedules thereto, respectively, and the building, with out-buildings,
known as the Metcalfe Hall, situate in the town of Calcutta in the territories administered
by the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal;

And whereas the said Agricultural and Horticultural Society and Calcutta Public Library
have been registered as societies under the 60.Societies Registration Act, 1860 (21 of 1860);

And whereas it is expedient that any doubt as to the legal effect of the said indentures
should be removed, and that the said indentures should be confirmed and declared to be
valid and binding in law for all the intents and purposes expressed therein respectively,
and especially for the purpose of vesting the said property in His Majesty absolutely so as
to be made available for the purposes of an Imperial Library to be established in the said
town of Calcutta, or for any other use or purpose to or for which the same may be, or may
be intended to be, hereafter applied.
3. Model Library Act (1930): Dr. S. R. Ranganathan was the first person in India who ever
thought about the need for library legislation in 1925 after returning to India from England.
He drafted a ‘Model Library Act’ and presented it for discussion at the First All Asia
Educational Conference, which was held in Banaras on 27-30 December 1930. The

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