The Chhattisgarh Public Libraries Act, 2008

(1) This Act may be called the Chhattisgarh Public Libraries Act, 2008. (2) It extends to the whole of the State of Chhattisgarh. (3) It shall come into force on such date as the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,— (a) "Aided Library" means a library which is declared by the Director to be eligible for aid from the State Government, in accordance with the rules made under this Act; (b) "Book" includes every volume, part or division of a volume, and pamphlet, in any language and any sheet of music, map, chart or plan separately printed or lithographed, and any newspaper, periodical or other such material published for circulation; (c) "Director" means the Director of Public Libraries appointed under this Act; (d) "Library Cess" means a cess levied under section 13; (e) "Public Library" means a library established or maintained by a Public Library System, including a travelling library, or a reading room, which is for the use of the public without discrimination of any kind; (f) "Public Library System" means a system of public libraries established or maintained by the Government or local body or any other authority and includes its branches, travelling libraries and reading rooms; (g) "State Central Library" means the library declared to be the State Central Library under this Act; (h) "State Government" means the Government of Chhattisgarh; (i) "State Library Council" means the State Library Council constituted under section 3; (j) "Year" means the financial year. In this Act, - (a) "Book" includes, - (i) every volume, a part or division of a volume and pamphlet, in any language, newspapers, periodicals, serial publication and manuscripts; (ii) sheet of music, map, chart or plan separately printed or lithographed; (iii) audio-visual, audio and visual materials such as-tapes, cassettes, films, filmstrips, micro card, microfilm, computer, floppy, compact disk, photograph etc; (b) "Chairman" means the Chairman of the State Library Council constituted under this Act; (c) "Council" means the State Library Council constituted under this Act; (d) "Director" means the Director of Public Libraries referred to in Section 6; (e) "District" means a Revenue District of the State; (f) "Officer on Special Duty (Libraries)" means an officer having professional qualification in Library Science not below the rank of Deputy Director appointed by the state Government to look after the affairs of Libraries;

(1) The State Government shall, by notification, constitute the State Library Council for the State of Chhattisgarh for the purpose of giving advice to the Government on matters relating to libraries. (2) The State Library Council shall consist of such members as determined by the State Government.

1. (1) The State Library Authority shall advise the State Government on the promotion and development of library services in the State. (2) It shall perform such other functions as the State Government may entrust to it. (3) The State Library Authority shall have the power to constitute committees for specific purposes such as advice on book selection, training of staff, etc.

The State Government may, by notification, declare any library in the state to be the 'State Central Library' for the purpose of this Act.

The State Central Library shall serve as the repository of all publications and shall act as the nodal library for all other public libraries in the state.

1. (a) The Director shall exercise general control over all public libraries and aided libraries; (b) The Director shall superintend and direct all matters relating to public library services; (c) The Director shall prepare and submit to the State Government an annual report on the working of public libraries in the State; (d) The Director shall ensure that the State Library Authority's policies are implemented; (e) The Director shall inspect libraries and ensure the maintenance of standards; (f) The Director shall perform such other functions as may be prescribed.

1. (1) The State Government may establish and maintain district libraries in such districts as it deems fit. (2) The functions of the district library shall be: (a) To maintain a collection of books and other materials; (b) To provide lending facilities to the public; (c) To organize library extension activities; (d) To co-ordinate with other public libraries in the district; (e) To submit reports to the Director as required; (f) To perform such other functions as may be prescribed.

(1) The provisions of the Delivery of Books and Newspapers (Public Libraries) Act, 1954 shall be applicable to the libraries covered under this Act. (2) Any contravention of the provisions of the said Act shall be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of that Act.

(1) The State Government shall constitute a State Library Council to advise it on all matters relating to the administration of this Act. (2) The council shall consist of such members as may be prescribed.

(1) The Council shall advise the State Government on matters concerning the library system. (2) The Council shall review the working of the libraries in the state and suggest improvements. (3) The Council shall perform such other functions as the State Government may assign to it.

The State Government shall constitute a State Library Fund to meet the expenses of the library system in the state.

Each District Library Committee shall maintain a District Library Fund.

(1) The accounts of the library funds shall be maintained as prescribed. (2) The accounts shall be audited by the authorities prescribed by the Government.

(1) The State Government may, by notification, make rules to carry out the purposes of this Act. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for the constitution of library committees, the management of libraries, the service conditions of staff, and any other matter requisite for the implementation of the Act.

(1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act, the State Government may, by order, make such provisions as appear to it to be necessary or expedient for the purpose of removing the difficulty. (2) Every order made under this section shall be laid before the Legislative Assembly.

(1) The Chhattisgarh Public Libraries Act, 2008 (No. 10 of 2008) is hereby repealed. (2) Notwithstanding such repeal, anything done or any action taken under the Act so repealed shall be deemed to have been done or taken under this Act.