Compiled from an official source version. Later amendments or repeals may not be reflected; the official text prevails. · Read the official text ↗
Establishment of National Library Board
3. A body called the National Library Board is established, which is a body corporate with perpetual succession and is by that name capable of —(a) suing and being sued; (b) acquiring, owning, holding, developing and disposing of property, both movable and immovable; and (c) doing and suffering all such acts or things as bodies corporate may lawfully do or suffer.
Common seal
4.—(1) The Board must have a common seal which must be kept in such custody as the Board thinks fit. (2) All deeds and other documents requiring the seal of the Board must be sealed with the common seal of the Board and every document to which the common seal is affixed must be signed by any 2 members of the Board generally or specially authorised by the Board for the purpose or by one member so authorised and the chief executive officer. (3) All courts, judges and persons acting judicially are to take judicial notice of the common seal of the Board affixed to any document and presume that it was duly affixed.
Constitution of Board
5.—(1) The Board consists of —(a) a Chairperson; (b) a Deputy Chairperson; and (c) not less than 10 but not more than 20 other members as the Minister may determine. (2) The Schedule has effect with respect to the Board, its members and proceedings.
Functions of Board
6. The functions of the Board are —(a) to establish and maintain libraries and to provide library information services; (b) to promote reading and encourage learning through the use of libraries and their services; (c) to provide a repository for library materials published in Singapore; (d) to acquire and maintain a comprehensive collection of library materials relating to Singapore and its people; (e) to establish standards for the training of library personnel in Singapore; (f) to provide advisory and consultancy services concerning libraries and library information services; (g) to compile and maintain a national union catalogue and a national bibliography; (h) to advise the Government on national needs and policies in respect of matters relating to publicly funded libraries and library information services in Singapore; (i) to provide a permanent repository of records of national or historical significance and to facilitate access to those records; (j) to conduct records management programmes for the Government; and (k) to record, preserve and disseminate the history of Singapore through oral history methodology or other means.
Powers of Board
7.—(1) The Board has power to do all things necessary or convenient to be done for or in connection with the performance of its functions. (2) Without limiting subsection (1), the powers of the Board include power —(a) to develop and manage libraries established by the Board; (b) to develop a computer network of libraries in Singapore; (c) to define, develop and implement the national collection policy and strategy, and appoint different libraries and centres to collect library materials on different subject areas of importance and interest to Singapore; (d) to coordinate and facilitate access to library materials in all publicly funded libraries; (e) to obtain and provide information on the resources and services of libraries in Singapore; (f) to take appropriate measures to maintain and preserve library materials deposited with the Board under section 10 or otherwise acquired by the Board; (g) to make copies of any online material made available on a Singapore website, at the times and in the manner the Board considers appropriate; (h) to establish liaison with other library authorities and information providers and other archives and oral history centres (foreign or otherwise) to secure maximum collaboration of all activities relevant to the Board’s functions; (i) to undertake or sponsor programmes for the training of persons in the profession and skills involved in the operations of libraries, archives and oral history centres; (j) to arrange for or provide professional and technical services in connection with libraries on such terms and conditions as the Board may determine; (k) to undertake and facilitate research on libraries, librarianship, archival work and oral history; (l) to raise funds by all lawful means and to receive gifts and donations, whether on trust or otherwise; (m) to extend grants, contributions or loans to any person or organisation connected with the national literary heritage or library development in Singapore for purposes consistent with the provisions of this Act; (n) to enter into contracts and establish trusts; (o) to enter into joint ventures with any person or organisation, or form or participate in the formation of a company; (p) to provide or undertake publicity in any form; and (q) to charge fees, commissions or rent for any services or facilities provided by the Board.[30/2018]
Directors and advisory committees for libraries
8. The Board may appoint directors for the general management and control of the libraries it has established and may also appoint advisory committees to advise on the operations and services of those libraries.
Appointment of committees and delegation of powers
9.—(1) The Board may appoint, from among its own members or other persons who are not members of the Board, any number of committees that it may think fit consisting of members or other persons or members and other persons for purposes which, in the opinion of the Board, would be better regulated and managed by means of those committees. (2) The Board may, subject to any conditions or restrictions that it may think fit, delegate to any such committee or to any member, officer or employee of the Board, any of the functions or powers of the Board under this Act.[5/2018]
Deposit of library materials
10.—(1) Except as otherwise provided by regulations, the publisher of every library material (other than online material) published in Singapore must, at the publisher’s own expense —(a) subject to paragraph (b), deposit 2 copies of that library material with the Board at a place determined by the Board within 4 weeks after the date of first publication; and (b) where the library material is in electronic form, deposit a copy of that library material with the Board in the form and manner determined by the Board, free of any technological or other restriction on access, within 4 weeks after the date of first publication.[30/2018] (2) The Board may by regulations made under section 47 prescribe —(a) the library materials which are not required to be deposited with the Board; and (b) the quality and the format of the copies of library materials required to be deposited, and the manner in which they must be deposited.[30/2018] (3) Every publisher of any library material who contravenes this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000.
Establishment of national union catalogue
11.—(1) All publicly funded libraries must contribute their cataloguing and holding records, whether original or derived from other sources, towards the establishment of an up‑to‑date national union catalogue. (2) The Board may by regulations made under section 47 prescribe —(a) the standard and the format of the cataloguing and holding records required to be sent to the Board; and (b) the frequency of updating the cataloguing and holding records in the national union catalogue.[30/2018]
Participation in interlibrary loan scheme
12. All publicly funded libraries must participate in such scheme for interlibrary loan and interlibrary information services as may be established by the Board in consultation with such libraries.
Directions by Minister
13.—(1) The Minister may give to the Board any direction under section 5 of the Public Sector (Governance) Act 2018.[5/2018] (2) The Board must give the Minister such information with regard to its property and activities as the Minister may require.[14
Provisions on this page are reproduced verbatim from official open data. See the attribution line.
Compiled from an official source version. Later amendments or repeals may not be reflected; the official text prevails. Read the official text ↗
Source: Singapore Statutes Online (Attorney-General's Chambers), © Government of Singapore.
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