Chapter III DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES

For the purposes of this Act, a Department of Public Libraries shall be constituted with a Director of Public Libraries as its head and such other officers and servants as the Government may by order specify.

(1) Subject to the control of the State Government, the Department of Pubic Libraries shall be responsible for the administration of this Act. (2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, the Department shall,- (a) superintend and direct all matters relating to all public libraries; (b) promote the establishment of public library service so as to achieve the purposes of this Act; (c) supervise and direct all matters relating to libraries receiving aid from the State Government; (d) maintain State Registers of Libraries and of Librarians; (e) superintend, direct, and deal with the exercise of powers and the performance of duties by Local Library Authorities under this Act; (f) ensure the proper utilisation of the Library Funds and library man-power of the State; (g) perform such other functions as may be entrusted to the Department by or under the provisions of this Act. (1) Subject to the provisions of this Act and of any rules made thereunder, and with the previous sanction of the State Government, every Local Library Authority shall, as soon as may be after the State Library Authority is constituted and thereafter as often as may be required by the Director of Public Libraries every Local Library Authority shall, and whenever it considers it necessary so to do, a Local Library Authority may, prepare a plan (hereinafter referred to as the 'Local Library Development Plan') for establishing libraries and spreading library service within the jurisdiction of such Authority in such form and manner and containing such particulars as may be prescribed.

(2) The salient features of every Local Library Development Plan prepared under sub-section (1) shall be published in such manner as may be prescribed along with a notice inviting objections and suggestions from all persons interested in the Plan within such period as may be specified in the notice. Any objection or suggestion which may be received from any person with respect to the Local Library Development Plan shall be considered by the Local Library Authority and such modifications in the Plan shall be made as the Authority deems fit.

(3) The Local Library Development Plan shall thereafter be sent to the Director of Public Libraries along with a copy of the objections and suggestions received under sub-section (2). The Director of Public Libraries shall with his comments on the Local Library Development Plan submit it to the State Government for sanction.

(4) The State Government may if it deems fit after ascertaining the views of the State Library Authority sanction the Local Library Development Plan with such alterations as it considers necessary. The State Government may on application by the Local Library Authority concerned, modify any Local Library Development Plan sanctioned under this sub-section.

(5) (a) As soon as may be after the State Government sanctions a Local Library Development Plan under sub-section (4), the Director of Public Libraries shall in conformity with the provisions of the said Plan make an order called the Local Library Order for the area, specifying the Central Library and the Branch Libraries including branches, to be located in educational institutions, prisons and hospitals and the service stations, which shall be established and maintained by the Local Library Authority, the measures to be taken by the Local Library Authority for providing adequate library service to the people in the area and the stages in which such measures shall be taken.

(b) A Local Library Order made under clause (a) may be amended in consultation with the Local Library Authority, whenever the Director of Public Libraries considers it expedient to do so.

(6) Every Local Library Authority shall give effect to the Local Library Development Plan as sanctioned by the State Government and the Local Library Order made under sub-section (5).

(1) A whole-time officer having the prescribed qualifications to practise the library profession shall be appointed by the State Government as the Director of Public Libraries. (2) The Director of Public Libraries shall,- (a) function as the Librarian of the State Central Library; (b) superintendent, direct, and deal with all matters relating to the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867 (Central Act 25 of 1867) and to the maintenance and service of the books sent under the said Act; (c) control the appointments, postings, and transfers of officers and servants in the State Library Service; (d) generally assist the State Library Authority in performing its functions; (e) exercise such other powers and performs such other duties as may be conferred or imposed on him by or under this Act.

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law, all posts in the Department of Pubic Libraries, the State Central Library