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Legislative framework

The fundamental principle regarding the purchase of stock in all formats is to enable the fulfilment of the statutory obligation placed upon local authorities by the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service.

The Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 states that:

“It shall be the duty of every library authority to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service for all persons desiring to make use thereof, and for that purpose to employ such officers, to provide and maintain such buildings and equipment, and such books and other materials, and to do such other things as may be requisite” (Section 7).

“In fulfilling its duty under the preceding subsection, a library authority shall in particular have regard to the desirability 

1. of securing, by the keeping of adequate stocks, by arrangements with other library authorities, and by any other appropriate means, that facilities are available for the borrowing of, or reference to, books and other printed matter, and pictures, gramophone records, films and other materials, sufficient in number, range and quality to meet the general requirements and any special requirements both of adults and children; and
2. of encouraging both adults and children to make full use of the library service, and of providing advice as to its use and of making available such bibliographical and other information as may be required by persons using it.”

Stock Management is defined as ‘a continuous process covering the range of interdependent activities required to make these materials an effective part of the resources required to deliver a public library service’.

Other legislation to be considered 

• Obscene Publications Act 1959 (and amendments)
• Public Order Act 1986
• Human Rights Act 1998
• Children Act 1989
• Care Act 2014
• Equality Act 2010
• Video Recordings Act 1984
• Copyright and Regulated Rights Regulations 1996
• Copyright Design and Patents Act 1998