Public Library Acts are library legislation enacted by individual states in India to provide a legal framework for the establishment of public libraries.
The public library acts aim to promote public library services, ensuring that they are accessible library services, and fulfill Dr. SR Ranganthan’s second law of library science, “Every Reader, His or Her Book,” to all readers. The Acts cover various aspects of library management, including financing, governance, and the roles and responsibilities of library officers.
India has a rich history of public library development. Below is a list of states that have enacted public library acts, along with the year of enactment and information about library cess where applicable. There are 19 states in India that have library legislation
List of states with their respective Public Library Acts.
1. Tamil Nadu Public Libraries Act, 1948
It was originally called the Madras Public Libraries Act, 1948. The library cess was 10% of the property tax.
2. Andhra Pradesh Public Libraries Act, 1960
The act provides for the levy of a library cess of 8% on lands and buildings.
3. Karnataka Public Libraries Act, 1965
It was originally called the Mysore Public Libraries Act, of 1965. The Act mandated the levy of a library cess of 6% on land, building, vehicle, and profession taxes
4. Maharashtra Public Libraries Act, 1967
Cess: No library cess.
5. West Bengal Public Libraries Act, 1979
Cess: No library cess.
6. Manipur Public Libraries Act, 1988
Cess: No Library Cess
7. Kerala Public Libraries Act, 1989
Cess: Library cess 5% on property tax and not less than 1% of state.
8. Haryana Public Libraries Act, 1989
Cess: Local Body to levy cess
9. Mizoram Public Libraries Act,1994
Cess: No Library Cess.
10. Goa Public Libraries Act, 1994
Cess: Surchage in IFML @1.50 ripees per liter.
11. Gujarat Public Libraries Act, 2001
Cess: No Library Cess.
12. Odisha Public Libraries Act, 2001
Cess: No Library Cess.
13. Uttaranchal Public Library Act, 2005
Cess: No Library Cess.
14. Rajasthan Public Library Act, 2006
Cess: No Library Cess.
15. Uttar Pradesh Public Library Act, 2006
Cess: No Library Cess.
16. Bihar Public Libraries and Information Centers Act, 2008
Cess: No Library Cess.
17. Chhattisgarh Public Libraries Act, 2008
Cess: No Library Cess.
18. Arunachal Pradesh Public Libraries Act, 2009
Cess: No Library Cess.
19. Telangana Public Library Act, 1960
The latest library legislation was enacted state in 2015 after the demerging state of Andhra Pradesh in 2014). Library cess of 8% on lands and buildings.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with answers on Library Legislation in India
What is the primary purpose of Public Library Acts in India?
a) To regulate private libraries
b) To promote and establish public libraries
c) To impose fines on overdue books
d) To manage digital libraries
Answer: b) To promote and establish public libraries
Which law of library science is emphasized by the Public Library Acts?
a) First law
b) Second law
c) Third law
d) Fifth law
Answer: b) Second law
Which state was the first to enact a Public Library Act in India?
a) Tamil Nadu
b) Andhra Pradesh
c) Karnataka
d) Maharashtra
Answer: a) Tamil Nadu
What was the original name of the Tamil Nadu Public Libraries Act, 1948?
a) Madras Public Libraries Act
b) Mysore Public Libraries Act
c) Andhra Public Libraries Act
d) Bengal Public Libraries Act
Answer: a) Madras Public Libraries Act
What percentage of property tax is levied as library cess under the Tamil Nadu Public Libraries Act, 1948?
a) 5%
b) 10%
c) 6%
d) 8%
Answer: b) 10%
Which state’s Public Libraries Act, enacted in 1965, was originally called the Mysore Public Libraries Act?
a) Karnataka
b) Andhra Pradesh
c) Maharashtra
d) Kerala
Answer: a) Karnataka
Which state does not levy any library cess under its Public Libraries Act?
a) Andhra Pradesh
b) Karnataka
c) Maharashtra
d) Kerala
Answer: c) Maharashtra
In which year was the Kerala Public Libraries Act enacted?
a) 1960
b) 1965
c) 1989
d) 2001
Answer: c) 1989
Which state’s Public Libraries Act mandates a library cess of 8% on lands and buildings?
a) Gujarat
b) Telangana
c) Haryana
d) Manipur
Answer: b) Telangana
Which state levies a surcharge in IFML at 1.50 rupees per liter under its Public Libraries Act?
a) Goa
b) Bihar
c) Gujarat
d) Haryana
Answer: a) Goa
In which year was the Uttaranchal Public Library Act enacted?
a) 2001
b) 2005
c) 2006
d) 2008
Answer: b) 2005
Which state has a library cess of 5% on property tax under its Public Libraries Act?
a) Tamil Nadu
b) Kerala
c) Haryana
d) Karnataka
Answer: b) Kerala
Which state’s Public Libraries Act was enacted in 2006 and does not have a library cess?
a) Rajasthan
b) Uttar Pradesh
c) Bihar
d) Both a and b
Answer: d) Both a and b
In which state does the local body have the authority to levy a library cess under its Public Libraries Act?
a) Tamil Nadu
b) Haryana
c) Telangana
d) Manipur
Answer: b) Haryana
Which state enacted its Public Libraries Act in 2009?
a) Arunachal Pradesh
b) Chhattisgarh
c) Mizoram
d) Odisha
Answer: a) Arunachal Pradesh
Which of the following states enacted a Public Libraries Act in 1994 without a library cess?
a) Goa
b) Mizoram
c) Bihar
d) Both a and b
Answer: d) Both a and b
Which state enacted the Public Libraries and Information Centers Act in 2008?
a) Chhattisgarh
b) Bihar
c) Odisha
d) Gujarat
Answer: b) Bihar
Which state’s Public Libraries Act was originally enacted as the Andhra Pradesh Public Libraries Act in 1960?
a) Karnataka
b) Telangana
c) Tamil Nadu
d) Haryana
Answer: b) Telangana
Which state does not have a library cess in its Public Libraries Act enacted in 1988?
a) Kerala
b) Maharashtra
c) Manipur
d) Mizoram
Answer: c) Manipur
What is the key feature of the Karnataka Public Libraries Act regarding the library cess?
a) 5% on property tax
b) 10% on property tax
c) 8% on lands and buildings
d) 6% on land, building, vehicle, and profession taxes
Answer: d) 6% on land, building, vehicle, and profession taxes
Frequency Asked Question (FAQ)
- What is the library legislation in India?
Ans: To provide a legal framework for the establishment of public libraries. - Which was the first state to enact library legislation in India?
Answer: The Madras Public Library Act is the first state in India to enact a public library act after independence. - In which of the five laws of library science is library legislation emphasized?
Answer: The second law of library science, ” Every Reader his/her Book,” is emphasized.
Conclusion
Public Library Acts in India play a crucial role in the establishment and maintenance of libraries across states. While some states have provisions for a library cess to ensure funding, others rely on state funding and other financial resources.
