National Library (Amendment) Bill

to promote and encourage the use of library material and information therefrom by the establishment of lending and reference libraries and mobile library services;

to acquire library material generally, and, in particular, to acquire a comprehensive collection of library material, both current and retrospective, relating to Singapore;

to collect and receive all books required to be deposited in the National Library under the provisions of the Printers and Publishers Ordinance (Cap. 196) and to preserve such books;

to make library material available for reference and for loan subject to proper safeguards against loss or damage;

to provide reference, bibliographic and interlibrary loan services to Government departments and to Parliament;

to advise on and co-ordinate the resources and services of Government department libraries and other libraries with those of the National Library;

to obtain and provide central information on the resources and services of libraries in Singapore;

to participate in national planning for all types of library service in Singapore, and to conduct research to determine library needs and possibilities;

to compile a current national bibliography and retrospective national bibliographies;

to compile and maintain a union catalogue of libraries of all kinds;

to act as the organizing agency for the national and international lending of library material;

to act as the organizing agency for the national and international exchange of library material;

to initiate and promote co-operation between the National Library and other libraries in the discharge of the above functions.”.

by deleting the word “and” appearing at the end of paragraph (d) thereof; and

by deleting paragraph (e) thereof and substituting therefor the following new paragraphs: —“(e)the training of librarians and other staff in library work; and

all other functions of the National Library.”.

by deleting the full-stop appearing at the end of paragraph (g) of subsection (2) thereof and substituting therefor a semi-colon;

by inserting immediately after paragraph (g) of subsection (2) thereof the following new paragraph: —“(h)prescribing the amounts of fines that may be levied by the Director for the late return of borrowed library material and for the waiving or refund of such fines.”; and

by deleting subsection (3) thereof and substituting therefor the following: —“(3) All rules made under this Ordinance shall be published in the Gazette and shall be presented to Parliament as soon as may be after publication.”.