Examination of several library legislation models developed to meet the needs of developed and developing nations reveals that our traditional notion of the library's role in society must be abandoned if we wish to reconcile its benefits to its costs. Four models currently exist: many nations, particularly Asian, have no legislation; most nations,…

The purpose of traditional copyright law was to encourage the creation of works based on and to ensure reasonable access to original thought. Despite this harmonious intent, an intrinsic tension exists between libraries and copyright holders, as the former promotes "free" access to information that ultimately reduces the income of the…

Associations of special libraries in Hungary are being developed to provide universal availability of published works on a national and international level. While most library legislation recognizes considerations, concerns of document security, copyright, reprography and computerized services are also matters of legislative importance,…

The United States is home to about 1.3 million organizations that fall under the IRS's 501(c)(3) classification of "[tax]-exempt organizations," known informally as nonprofits. A nonprofit is defined as a formally incorporated nongovernmental organization that operates in the public interest, rather than in order to make a profit. Its income, in…

Librarians may most effectively promote library legislation needed to further the goals of libraries and library service through legislative lobbying activities. The legal basis for library legislation exists in the undisputed fact that libraries are agencies of learning and therefore merit the same legislative attention as schools. The most basic…

Most countries have school legislation, and many have library legislation; however, in very few is school library legislation found. It is noteworthy that school libraries are the weakest in many library systems. There is a strong case to be made for a legal requirement that library services be established in all recognized schools and vocational…

Details the current organization and functions of the various components of the British Library, with the exception of central administration. Included are the library board, reference division, lending division, bibliographic services division, and research and development department. (FM)

An aspect of library legislation which is generally ignored is legislation that promotes the utilization of academic libraries to maximize the potential of a nation's resources. From the available literature it would seem that library legislation in developing nations still conforms strictly to the traditional view that library legislation should…

Statistics are basic to the legislative process and must be available in a form quickly and easily perceived to support library legislation. There should be a sound statistical base, fleshed out with practical examples, to impress legislators and lay persons. Communication of statistical data to decision makers requires a sound public information…

Library studies in institutions of higher learning in socialist countries regularly include studies of library legislation. The topic is integrated into course syllabuses and textbooks, and is discussed in detail in such courses as "Organization and Management of Librarianship" taught at all library educational institutions in the USSR.…

The legal foundation and administration of library services in the United Kingdom are reviewed in terms of legislative acts which currently affect library services directly: the Public Libraries and Museums Act of 1964 places public library services under the Secretary of State for Education as part of the reorganization of the local authority…

The prefatory section of the Library of Congress (LC) annual report lists library officers, library committees, consultants, and an organizational chart. The body of the report begins with a narrative overview of recent LC activities in such areas as organizational changes, copyright law, Bicentennial Program, publications, and projects. Separate…

Many problems in developing biomedical library services for the emerging nations of Southeast Asia remain amenable only to legislation; however, IFLA seems particularly well situated to assist in these tasks. Of the numerous political and technical problems to be overcome, first and foremost are the difficulties involved in the simple transmission…

Published in response to requests for a permanent record of California's CALTAC (California Association of Library Trustees and Commissioners) WILL (Workshops in Library Leadership) program, an ongoing program funded by an LSCA (Library Services and Construction Act) grant from the California State Library, this report is a compilation of the…

This paper discusses the legal basis for the National Library Board's national role for library development in Singapore. It examines the new National Library Board (NLB) Act 1995 and the direct and expanded responsibility it has given the NLB for the national and public library functions in Singapore. The paper also examines the various…