Chương III Luật Thư viện 2019: Hoạt động thư viện

Chapter III

LIBRARY OPERATIONS

Article 24. Rules for library operations

1. Employ the user-centered design; create an environment of friendliness and equality; ensure the rights to access and use libraries of organizations and individuals.

2. Information resources must be collected, processed, stored, preserved and disseminated in compliance with national technical regulations, national standards and relevant library standards.

3. Frequently innovate procedures, information products and library services on the basis of application of scientific and technological advancements.

4. Carry out library cooperation.

5. Comply with regulations of laws on intellectual property, science and technology, information technology, cyber security and other relevant regulations of laws.

Article 25. Development of information resources

1. Development of information resources includes the tasks of enrichment and weeding of information resources.

2. Tasks of enrichment of information resources include:

a) Identify methods for collection of information resources and sources thereof as appropriate to functions, duties and targeted groups of users of the library; receive publications and journalistic publications according to regulations of publishing laws and press laws, and the functions and duties of libraries prescribed in this Law;

b) Supplement and purchase information resources and right to access digital information resources and databases;

c) Collect open information resources, private information resources and other valuable online information resources;

d) Cooperate in exchanging information resources between domestic and foreign libraries; cooperate in collection, sharing and use of shared databases or right to access digital information resources;

dd) Convert and digitalize information resources for storing and research purposes as prescribed by laws on intellectual property and other relevant regulations of laws;

e) Receive information resources transferred, sponsored or donated by domestic and foreign organizations and individuals.

3. Information resources shall be weeded in accordance with regulations of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Article 26. Processing of information resources and organization of information retrieval systems

1. Processing of information resources is regulated as follows:

a) After being added to a library, information resources must be processed according to professional procedures; information retrieval systems shall be developed for management, searching and use purposes;

b) Copy bibliographic records, utilize important information resources that have undergone processing to ensure accuracy, consistency and thriftiness.

2. Organization of information retrieval systems is regulated as follows:

a) Information retrieval systems shall display all information resources via catalogues and databases on web portals or websites of libraries;

b) Ensure safe storage of information resources processing results;

c) Ensure information retrieval systems are up-to-date and easy to use;

d) Ensure cooperation in information retrieval between libraries.

Article 27. Preservation of information resources

1. Preservation of information resources includes the following tasks:

a) All information resources in storage and/or of service to users must be preserved;

b) Ensure information safety to support management, retrieval and use;

c) Back up, restore or convert forms of resources as suitable to library's capacity;

d) Digital information resources must be backed up periodically and equipped with data recovery mechanisms when necessary; and must be preserved as suitable to the data format;

dd) Information resources being cultural heritage and information resources included in state secrets lists must be preserved according to regulations of laws on cultural heritage, archives and state secrets protection.

2. The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall elaborate this Article.

Article 28. Development and provision of library information products and library services

1. Development and provision of library information products and library services are regulated as follows:

a) Ensure library information products and library services are developed and provided in a scientific, modern and effective manner, suitable to the functions and duties of libraries and needs of library users;

b) Ensure library information products and library services are provided in various forms and via diverse methods.

2. Library information products consist of:

a) Information retrieval systems, databases of catalogues, information and unabridged texts;

b) Specialized catalogues and information;

c) Web portals and websites;

d) Other library information products developed during processing of information resources of libraries.

3. Library services include:

a) Provision of information resources inside and outside of libraries, including mobile libraries, or in the cyberspace, and transfer of information resources;

b) Provision of information on catalogues and information assistance;

c) Provision of consultancy and training regarding library operations and learning/research assistance to organizations and individuals;

dd) Organization of conferences, seminars, exhibitions, communication and dissemination of information resources;

dd) Assistance with digital library utilities;

e) Other library services.

Article 29. Library cooperation

1. Library cooperation shall focus on:

a) Cooperation in procurement and collection of shared information resources and cooperation in formulation of union catalogues;

b) Sharing information resources between libraries; sharing results of processing of information resources and library information products;

c) Cooperation in provision of library services for library users.

2. Forms of library cooperation:

a) Location-based cooperation;

b) Cooperation between libraries with similar functions, duties or targeted groups of users;

c) Cooperation based on subjects covered by information resources or contents thereof;

d) Cooperation between different types of library.

3. Library cooperation mechanism:

a) Libraries for which investment is prioritized by the State shall act as the core of development, sharing and use of shared information resources between libraries;

b) Cooperate in acquisition of the rights to access and share foreign information resources, and utilize state and private funding;

c) Information resources funded by the state budget must be shared between libraries.

4. The Government shall elaborate this Article.

Article 30. Promotion of reading culture

1. The 21st of April is Vietnamese Book and Reading Culture Day.

2. Tasks of promotion of reading culture include:

a) Foster reading habit in families, schools, regulatory bodies and organizations throughout the country;

b) Provide guidance on methods and skills in reading and using information resources for children in libraries of preschool institutions and general education institutions;

c) Develop information retrieval and utilization skills, and enrich knowledge of library users;

d) Boost cooperation between public libraries and other libraries in the same locality; access to and utilization of information and knowledge from shared digital libraries via electronic devices; use of mobile libraries and transfer of information resources.

Article 31. Development of digital libraries

1. Develop digital information resources on the basis of collection of digital resources and digitalization of library’s resources.

2. Digital information resources must be processed, stored and preserved according to technical regulations and standards for information technology and library operations.

3. Employ advanced software in digital library management and smart interface design; ensure openness and cooperation in data retrieval and utilization and conversion between data storage systems; assist with granting access and usage right to digital information resources to library users.

4. Grant access to information resources in digital format and other formats.

Article 32. Library modernization

1. Build modern technical infrastructure to ensure deployment and operation of digital libraries and library automation.

2. Deploy open access reading rooms and systems for automatic resources provision; self checkout and self check-in systems; advanced library security and surveillance systems; creative spaces for library users; and zones for children and people with disabilities.

3. Conduct research and apply artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, open access, cloud computing, big data systems and other scientific and technological advancements following global trends in library operations.

4. Establish state-of-the-art library information networks to connect domestic and foreign libraries.

5. Create and provide modern library services and information products to serve library users; establish databases, develop and utilize digital libraries; deploy websites, web portals and library services in the cyberspace.

Article 33. Communication concerning libraries

1. Libraries shall establish communication for the following contents:

a) Information resources;

b) Library information products and library services;

c) Library utilities;

d) Library workforce;

dd) Other contents pertaining to libraries and suitable to regulations of laws.

2. Forms of communication include:

a) Exhibitions to introduce books, library information products and library services; exchanges, seminars, conferences, presentations; cultural and educational events related to libraries;

b) Cultivation of public relations and library image;

c) Other forms in compliance with the law.

Article 34. Cooperation between libraries and regulatory bodies and organizations

1. Libraries shall cooperate with regulatory bodies and organizations in the following activities:

a) Preservation of information resources and databases;

b) Use, sharing and enhancement of information resources of libraries and resources and databases of cooperating regulatory bodies and organizations;

c) Provision of library services for library users and the general public.

2. Libraries shall cooperate with regulatory bodies and organizations related to science and technology information and archives to ensure effective use and preservation of information resources and data banks of the State; and with other regulatory bodies, organizations and enterprises according to cooperation programs, contracts and regulations of laws.

3. Libraries shall cooperate with regulatory bodies and organizations related to culture and tourism and other regulatory bodies and organizations to diversify library services and provision thereof.

Article 35. Library funding

Libraries are funded by:

1. State budget.

2. Income from library services.

3. Sponsorship and donation from domestic and international organizations and individuals according to regulations of laws.

4. Other legal funding sources.

Article 36. International library cooperation

1. Develop and deploy international cooperation programs, schemes and projects.

2. Participate in professional forums, organizations and associations, and cooperate with domestic and foreign libraries.

3. Formulate, implement and disseminate laws and international practices on libraries.

4. Conduct scientific research, exchange information resources and experience, and train the workforce; apply and transfer technologies; promote library operations and enable foreign organizations and individuals to join and support library operations.

5. Carry out other international cooperation activities in compliance with regulations of laws.

Article 37. Evaluation of library operations

1. All libraries shall have their library operations evaluated for the purposes of state management of libraries and enhancement of library operations.

2. Rules for evaluation of library operations:

a) Impartiality, precision and compliance with regulations of laws;

b) Honesty, transparency and equality;

c) On an annual basis.

3. Criteria, methods and procedures for evaluation of library operations are regulated by national standards.

4. Evaluation of the operations of a library comprises:

a) A self-evaluation by the library;

b) An evaluation by the library founder;

c) An evaluation by a library authority.

5. The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall elaborate this Article.