KARNATAKA PUBLIC LIBRARY ACT 1965 Introduction The wise

KARNATAKA PUBLIC LIBRARY ACT - 1965

Introduction: Ø The wise council prevailed on the minds of the great visionaries like educationist, administrators, and planners of Karnataka to think and plan for the enactment of Public Libraries Act, in the state. Ø KPL Act, 1965 is divided into 52 sections.

Here we have to remember the services of Shri Vaikuntha Baliga then speaker of the assembly. Shri S. R. Kanthi, the Education Minister Dr. S. R. Ranganathan and Shri Narashimha Iyengar and others.

Karnataka is the 3 rd state in India to enact library legislation, to pass the Mysore Public Libraries Act, in 1965. Which come into force on 1 st April 1966. During the last 5 decades of its implementation, Karnataka has witnessed a great stride of Public libraries.

Objectives: To provide for the establishment of public libraries; To provide for maintenance of public library; To provide for the organization of a comprehensive Rural and Urban library services in the state. Thus the framers of the KPLA envisaged that, by establishment, maintenance and organization of a large number of public libraries both in rural and urban areas of the state wanted to establish good number of public libraries in the state of Karnataka, to provide better services to the public of Karnataka.

Some of the important sections and salient features of Act are as follows: 1. Short Title, Extent and Commencement, i. This Act may be called the KPL, Act, 1965; ii. It extends to the whole and the state of Karnataka. iii. It shall come into force on 1 st April 1966.

2. Definitions: Academic libraries Aided libraries Public libraries, etc. Constitution and composition of the State Library Authority. 4. Functions of SLA 5. Terms of office (3 years) 3.

Terms of Office 7. Vacancies 8. Disabilities for Continuing as Member 9. Disqualifications 10. Meetings of the State Library Authority 6. LA shall meet at least twice in a year. ii. Chairman convene a special meeting of the Authority. i.

11. 12. ii. Procedure of State Library Authority Department of Public Libraries Dept of Public libraries shall be constituted with a State Librarian as its head. At present the director of public libraries.

Functions of the department: 13. i. iii. iv. To supervise and direct all the matters to the govt. Promote the public library services. To ensure proper utilization of funds, etc. Perform other functions may be entrusted by the Govt.

14. Director and Functions: i. ii. iii. To supervise the matters related the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867. Control appointments, postings etc. To assist SLA, etc.

15. Library Personnel The KPLA makes a marked improvement over Tamil Nadu and Andra Pradesh Acts under section 15 it provides a separate cadre known as “Karnataka State Library Services” Recruitments through KPSC. 15 (3)Ensure that the salary and other allowances and other benefits met through the consolidated fund of the state. This provides security of job and salary. These are all unique provisions made in the Act.

Local Library Authorities: Constitution of Local Library Authorities Composition of City Library Authority 16. 17. Mayor – Chairman ii. Chief Librarian – Secretary i.

18. Composition of District Library Authorities Deputy Commission – Chairman ii. Chief Librarian – Secretary i. 19. Nomination of Members in Default of Election 20. Term of Office 21. Vacancies

Disabilities of Continuing as Member Disqualifications Meetings of Local Library Authorities 22. 23. 24. At least twice in a year ii. The Chairman may also convene a special meeting. i.

25. 26. Powers and Duties of Chairman and Vice-Chairman Powers and Functions of Local Library Authorities i. 27. To provide suitable building, Land, Comfort etc. Library Development Plan i. Every Local Library Authority Can plan and send it to the approval of the Department of Public Libraries.

28. Local Library Authority to Appoint Committees: Executive Committee ii. The Finance Committee etc. iii. The Building Committee etc. i. 29. Library Taluka Advisory Committees and other branch etc.

Finance and Accounts: 30. A. i. ii. iii. iv. Library Cess: is another unique feature of this act. A library cess in the form of surcharge on: Tax on lands and buildings; Tax on entry of goods into the local area for consumption, use or sale therein; Tax on vehicle; Tax on Professionals, Trades, Callings and Employments.

B. Library cess in the form of a surcharge on tax on lands and buildings shall be levied in the area within the Jurisdiction of District Library Authority. CLA and DLA with the permissionof the state govt. can increase the % of library cess from 3 to 6 paisa per every rupee.

31. State govt. grant to DLA of a portion of Land Revenue. i. Creation of funds by different Authorities. 32. City and District library funds. 33. State library fund 34. Accounts 35. Vesting of Banglore Public Library in the State Library Authority

Establishment of State Central Library (SCL) Sections of SCL 36. 37. i. iii. iv. v. vi. A state Bureau of Copyright collection; A state library for the blind; A State Bureau of ILL; A state Bibliographical Bureau; A State Bureau of Technical Service; Such other sections as may be prescribed.

38. Reports and Returns 39. Inspection of Libraries 40. Annual Report 41. Power to make Rules 42. Power of State Library Authority and Local Library Authorities to make Byelaws 43. Offences and Penalties

44. Control of Local Library Authorities of Government 45. Liability of Members for Loss, Waste of Misapplication 46. Members and Employees of Library Authorities to be Public Servants 47. Savings of Validity of Acts and Proceedings

49. Power to remove Difficulties 50. Transfer of Certain Libraries 51. Amendment of the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867 in its Application to the State of Mysore 52. Repeal and Savings.

Amendment: The major amendment to KPL Act, 1965 is undertaken and the same is submitted to the government in 1998.

Conclusion: KPL Act, 1965 is considered as a model Act among the states enacted Library Legislation in India. Within 5 decades one can easily notice the developments in the field of library and library services in Karnataka. Because of some important provisions made in the Act. The Karnataka Public Libraries System has become very popular in India.