The Mizoram Public Libraries Act, 1993

NOTIFICATION No. H. 12018/12 91-LJD, the 5 th March. 1993, The foilowing Act of the Mizoram Legislative Assembly which received the assent of the Governor is hereby published for general information. The Mizoram Act No 4 of 1993 The Mizoram Public Libraries Act, 1993 (Received the assent of Governor of Mizoram on the 25 th February, 1993) AN ACT to provide for the establishment, maintenance and development of comprehensive public libraries system in the State of Mizoram. Be it enacted by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Mizoram in the Forty- Fourth Year of the Republic of India as fo llo ws :- CHAPTER-II PRELIMINARY

1.(1) This Act may be called the Mizoram Public Libraries Act, 1993.

1. (2) It shall ext end to the whole of the St ate of Miz oram.
2. (3) It shall come into force on such date as the Government may, by notification in the official Gazette appoint.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires :- (a) “Council” means State Library Council; (b) “Department” means the Department of Education and Human Resources; (c) “Director” means the Director of Public Libraries appointed as csuch; (d) "Government” means the State Government of Mizoram; (e) “Notification” means a Notification published Mizoram Official Gazette; (f) “prescribed” means prescribed by the Rules made under this Act.; (g) “Public Library” means a Library which serves the general public and includes State, District, Sub-Divisional and village Libraries; (h) “Rules” means the Rules made under this Act; (i) “State" means the state of Mizoram; (j) “Year” means the financial year;

There shall be constituted, by notification, the State Council consisting of :- (a) the following ex-officio members - (i) The Minister of Education & Human Resources who shall be the Chairman; (ii) The. Secretary of Education & Human Resources who shall be the Secre- tary of the council; (iii) The Director of Art & Culture; (iv) The Director of School Education; (v) The Director of Higher & Technical Education; (vi) The Direcior of Adult Education; (vii) The Director SCERT; (viii) The Director of Information & Public Relations; (ix) The Station Director, AIR (x) The Director of Public Libraries; (xi) The Librarian, NEHU, Mizoram Campus, Aizawl; and (xii) The State Librarian. (b) Other members, such as - (i) Two members of the Mizoram Legislative Assembly to be nominated by the Government; (ii) One representative of the Mizoram Library Association; (iii) One representative of Central YMA; (iv) One representative of Mizo Academy of letters; and (v) One representative of Mizoram Publication Board.

The term of office of the members of the Council shall be a period of three years.

If a member ceases to hold the position by virtue of which he was so nominated or elected, he shall automatically cease to be a member of the Council.

A vacancy in the office of a nominated member of the Council shall be filled by nomination and the new member shall hold office only for the rmaining period o term.

(1) On the commencement of this Act, the Department of Public Libraries shall be constituted with a Director at its head. (2) The Director shall be assisted by the Joint Director, the Deputy Director, and other necessary supporting staff.

The appoinment of Officers and the supporting staff shall be made by the Gov- ernment in accordance with the provisions of the rules made under this Act.

The existing Library Staff, for the purpose of absorption shall have to obtain necessary qualitication within a limit of time as may be prescribed.

The Public Libraries in the State shall be divided into four categories as follows:- (i) State Library; (ii) District Library; (iii) Sub-divisional Library; and (iv) Village Library.

(1) There shall be a State Library located in the Capital of the State. (2) The State Library shall consist of the following sections :- (i) Bureau of copy right (ii) State Library for the blind; (iii) Inter Library Loan (iv) State Bibliographical Bureau (v) Technical Services and (vi) Mobile Services.

The State Library shall function as Library as well as reservoir of books.

There shall be a, District Library in every District headquarters of the State.

There shall be a Sub-divisional Library in each sub-divisional headquarters.

Ther shall be recognised Village Libraries in such Villages as may be found and considered deserving and suitable by the Government from time to time.

The Government may sanction Grant-in-aid to recognised Village libraries in accordance with the rules made under this Act.

(1) The Council may recognise any one body as the State Library Association, the constitution of which shall be approved by the Council. (2) The Director shall consult Library Association on important matters relating to the Libraries and Librarian of the State.