National Council for Library and Information Services Act (No. 6 of 2001)

The National Council for Library and Information Services Act, 2001 (Act No. 6 of 2001) is an Act of the Parliament of South Africa that established the National Council for Library and Information Services (NCLIS), a statutory advisory body responsible for advising the government on matters relating to library and information services in South Africa.

The Act was assented to by President Thabo Mbeki on 19 June 2001 and published in the Government Gazette on 25 June 2001.

The legislation seeks to improve coordination, access, equity, and development in library and information services, while promoting literacy, information literacy, and a culture of reading in South Africa.

Background

Following the end of apartheid, South Africa undertook reforms to transform public institutions and improve access to information and education. The library and information services sector faced inequalities in access, funding, and infrastructure inherited from apartheid-era policies.

The National Council for Library and Information Services Act was introduced to create a coordinated advisory mechanism that would guide government policy on libraries and information services and support national development goals.

Purpose

The Primary object of the Act is to establish the National Council for Library and Information Services to advise the Minister responsible for arts and culture and the Minister of Education on matters relating to library and information services.

According to the Act, the council is intended to support:

• socio-economic development;
• education and scientific research;
• technological and information development;
• cultural and recreational development; and
• equitable access to relevant information for all people in a cost-effective manner.

Establishment of the council

Section 2 of the Act establishes the National Council for Library and Information Services as a statutory body.

Functions

The Act mandates the council to advise government on matters relating to:

• development and coordination of library and information services;
• promotion of cooperation among library institutions;
• legislation affecting libraries and information services;
• funding principles for public library and information services;
• adequacy and deficiencies in information resources, including African-language literature;
• library and information science education and training;
• literacy, information literacy, and reading culture promotion; and
• the use of information and communication technologies in libraries.

The council is also empowered to advocate for library services, coordinate sector responses, liaise with other organisations, and investigate incentives for donations to libraries.

Composition

The council consists of:

• 12 members appointed by the Minister after public nomination;
• one official from the relevant government department;
• one official from the Department Of Education;
• the National Librarian of South Africa; and
• one representative from the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA).

Members are required to possess expertise in library and information services, leadership, economics, education, or public information needs. The Act further requires demographic and sectoral representation, including gender equity and historically disadvantaged groups.

Governance

Council members may serve terms of up to three years and May Be reappointed for one additional term. The Act provides for meetings, quorum requirements, voting procedures, committees, and working groups to support the functioning of the council.

Reporting and funding

The council is required to submit an annual report to the Minister and the Minister of Education, which must be tabled in Parliament. Funding for the council is appropriated through Parliament to the responsible government department.

Significance

The Act is regarded as a key legislative framework for the governance and coordination of library and information services in South Africa. It promotes equitable access to information, literacy development, multilingualism, and cooperation among libraries across sectors. The Act also explicitly recognises the importance of literature in African languages and information literacy in addressing educational and developmental inequalities.

See also

• National Library of South Africa
• Library and Information Association of South Africa
• Library and information science
• Public libraries in South Africa
• Department of Sport, Arts and Culture
• Department of Basic Education (South Africa)
• Information literacy
• Parliament of South Africa

External links

• National Council for Library and Information Services Act, 2001 at the South African Government website
• Library and Information Association of South Africa