Tamil Nadu Public Libraries Act-1948

      An Introduction - Contribution of Dr.S.R.Ranganathan

ü   Dr. S R Ranganathan was a visionary who realized the importance of library legislation for the promotion & development of library movement in India.

ü   He was the 1st person in India who ever thought about the need for library legislation in 1925.

ü   In the middle of the 20^th century, owing to the efforts of Dr.S.R.Ranganathan , the 4 Indian states, via

§   Madras - 1948

§   Andhra Pradesh - 1960

§   Karnataka - 1965

§   Maharashtra - 1967

         passed & enacted library legislation in their states.

ü   He drafted a ‘Model Library Act’ and presented at the 1st All Asia Educational Conference, which was held in Banaras in 1930.

ü   This ‘Model Library Act’ was published by the Madras Library Association in 1936. 

ü   He also prepared a Model Union Library Bill in 1948 & redrafted it in 1957.

ü   India got the first Public Library Act through the ceaseless efforts of Dr.S.R.Ranganathan.

ü   For the 1st time the Public Library Act was passed by the Madras Legislature in 1948.

                           PUBLIC LIBRARY-Definition

“A library provided essentially as a public service, financed largely out of public money, open with few restrictions to the population of a given area for a small payment or no payment.”

            The public library is rightly called the “People’s University”, since it follows the democratic principles:

                                    “For the people,

                                      By the people, and

                                      Of the people.”

   UNESO and Public Library

UNESCO's Point of View:

ü  a living force for education, culture& information;

ü  an essential agent for the fostering of peace and spiritual welfare through the minds of men and women;

ü  the local centre of information, making all kinds of knowledge and information readily and freely available to its users;

ü  Accessible for all, regardless of age, race, sex, relation, nationality, language or social status, etc.

   Public Library Acts In India

1.   Tamil Nadu (Madras) Public Libraries Act, 1948

2.   Andhra Pradesh Public Libraries Act, 1960

3.   Karnataka Public Library Act, 1965

4.   Maharashtra Public Libraries Act, 1967

5.   West Bengal Public Libraries Act, 1979

6.   Manipur Public Libraries Act, 1988

7.   Kerala Public Libraries Act, 1989

8.   Haryana Public Libraries Act, 1989

9.   Mizoram Public Libraries Act, 1989

10. Goa Public Libraries Act, 1994

11. Gujarat Public Libraries Act, 2000

12. Orissa Public Library Act, 2000

13. Rajasthan Public Library Act, 2005

14. Uttar Pradesh Public Libraries Act, 2005

15. Uttarkhand Public Libraries Act, 2005

   Act & Amendment

ü    In general, enactment or undertaking of something is called an Act.

ü    An amendment is something which is added on after the passing the Act.

   Madras Public Libraries Act, 1948

Ø  Preliminary

ü  An Act to provide for the establishment of public libraries in the state of Tamil Nadu, and the organization of a comprehensive rural and urban library service therein.

ü  This Act may be called the Tamil Nadu Public Libraries Act, 1948.

ü  It extends to the whole of the State of Tamil Nadu.

ü  It came into force on 1^st April, 1950.

Ø  Definitions

1. ‘Aided library' means a library declared by the Director to be eligible for aid from the Government.

2. 'Director' means the Director of Public Libraries appointed under section 4.

3. ‘District' means a revenue district.

4. 'Government' means the State Government.

6. ‘Prescribed' means prescribed by rules made under this Act.

7. ‘State’ means the State of Tamil Nadu.

8. ‘Public library’ means a library established or maintained by a Local Library Authority, and includes the branches and delivery stations of such a library.

Ø The State Library Committee

The State Library Committee & Functions:

ü  A State Library Committee shall be constituted by the Government for the purpose of, advising on matters relating to libraries.

ü  The Director & His duties:

            The Government shall appoint the director of public libraries for the state. His duties may extend to:

a)      manage the central library & its branches.

b)      superintend and direct all matters relating to public libraries .

c)      declare in accordance with the rules made under this Act.

d)     superintend and control the work of all Local Library Authorities.

e)      submit to the Government every year a report on the working of libraries.

f)       performs such other duties.

Ø Local Library Authorities

For the purpose of organizing and administering public libraries in the State, there shall    be constituted Local Library Authorities, one for the city of Madras and one for each district.

J  LLA for Madras city shall consists of:

a) 3 members elected by the Corporation of Madras

b) 8 members nominated by the government:

                        i) 3 shall be office-bearers of libraries situated in the City

ii) 2 shall be headmasters or head-mistresses of high schools

                        iii) 1 shall be the principal of a college in the City of Madras

J  LLA for each district shall consist of:

a)      10  members nominated by the Director:

                        i) three shall be office-bearers of libraries situated in the district

                        ii) five shall be headmasters or head mistresses of high schools or principals of colleges

                        iii) 1 member elected by the members of district panchayat from among themselves

      Sec. 5) Every Local Library Authority shall elect one of its members to be its Chairman.

Sec. 6) The term of office of a LLA shall be 3 years.

J  Powers of LLA:

LLA may-

a)      Provide suitable lands &buildings for public libraries

b)      Stock libraries with books, periodicals, etc

c)      Employ from time to time such staff

d)     With sanction of Govt. shall close or discontinue any public library

Ø      Finance & Accounts

12. (1) (a) Every Local Library Authority shall levy in its area a library cess in the form of a surcharge on the property tax or house tax levied under the Madras City Municipalities Act,    1920.

(b) A LLA may increase the rate specified in clause (a).

      12. (2) The cess shall be collected

(a) by the corporation of Madras;

(b) by the municipal Council;

(c) by the Panchayat; and

(d) by the district board.

Ø Library Fund

13. (1) Every Local Library Authority shall maintain a fund called ‘Library Fund’ through which,   all the expenses can be met.

            (2) The following sums shall be credited to the Library Funds:-

                        (a) the cess collected under section 12 (2);

                        (b) contributions, gifts & income from endowments.

                        (c) special grants which the Govt. make for any specific purpose.

                        (d) fees, fines & other amounts collected by LLA under any rules & regulations.

            (3) Government shall contribute a sum not less than the cess collected.

Ø Reports, Returns & Inspections

16. Every LLA & in charge of Public Library shall have reports & returns information which shall be furnished to the Director or any authorized person, when it is required.

17. The Director or any authorized  person may inspect any public library as per the rules under this act.

Ø Rules

18. (1) The Govt. may, by notification, make rules to carry out the purpose of the Act.

          (2) Such rules may provide for:-

(a)    All matters required/allowed to be prescribed under this Act;

(b)   The method of conducting election of members to LLAs;

(c)    The maintenance of the minutes of proceedings of LLAs;

(d)   The publication & reports of audited statements;

(e)    Declarations, inspection & co-ordination by the Director & the standards to be maintained;

Ø Amendments Appended

An Act further to amend the Tamil Nadu Public Libraries Act, 1948.

ü  Act No.5 OF 2001

1.      This Act may be called the Tamil Nadu Public Libraries (Amendment) Act, 2001.

9-A. Persons employed in Local Library Authorities to be Government servants.

14-A. General Fund: A fund called General Fund with a view to assist, on requisition, for the purpose of purchase of books/furniture, etc.

18-A. Power to amend Schedule.

ü  Act No. 20 OF 2007

1. (1) This Act may be called the Tamil Nadu Public Libraries (Amendment) Act, 2007.         

2. (5) The members of every LLA shall select a Chairman & a Vice-Chairman from among            themselves.

   Conclusion

ü  To ensure the growth of information structure

ü  To ensure timely, precise & reliable accession of Information

ü  To ensure maximum utilization of knowledge, we need information policies, inorder to develop the society.

ü  Public libraries have always been the door to learning.

ü  They are knowledge centers and contribute to life-long learning.

ü  Hence it necessary to aware of the Acts which are essential for the growth of Public libraries.