Page 236 - DLIS001_FOUNDATION_OF_LIBRARY_AND_INFORMATION_SCIENCE

Unit 12: Library Legislation

8. A library service on sound lines requires library legislation to get a perennial source of Notes
income.
9. Legislation will provide a temporary source of finance.

12.4 Purpose of Library Legislation

Provision of public library service is a natural corollary to the democratic way of life. Free
communication is essential for the preservation of a free society and creative culture. A public
library expects its users only to spend time and not money for the utilization of services. In that
situation, the question arises from where will the finance come? It has been experienced that
public library service can be effectively offered only through legislation. The purposes of Library
Legislation are as follows:

A law helps in creating necessary conditions under which public libraries can be established
nationwide.
To put the public library on a sound and sure financial footing by way of levy of library
tax.
To make the public library independent from subscription, donation or private gift and to
save the library from political influence.

For a sound administrative setup permanent, uniform, efficient, balanced and coordinated
library service and also for proper line of growth.
To solve the problem of land, building, legacies, etc.

For centralized services like acquisition, processing, etc.
To promote library movement in the country.
To enunciate a national library policy and to help build up a national library system.
To provide financial and technical assistance to libraries.

To provide financial assistance to organisations, regional or national engaged in the
promotion of library development.
To publish appropriate literature and to act as a clearing house of ideas and information
on library development in India and abroad.

To promote research in problems of library development.
To advise the government on all matters pertaining to the library development in the
country.
The library legislation has the provision of financial support to the public libraries, but the
provision to be made in library legislation would depend upon the social, political and economic
environment. There are mainly two ways of making provision of finance to public libraries
through library legislation. They are
Annual budget allocation by the state out of its total funds with capital grants from central
government.

Levying of library cess with a matching grant from the state government.
Self Assessment

Fill in the blanks:
10. Provision of public library service is a natural corollary to the ……………… way of life.

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 231