The Department of Public Libraries has drafted the 'Bangladesh Public Libraries Act' with a view to formulating a national policy to ensure proper management of the libraries across the country.
The national policy is needed to monitor and develop the libraries and facilitate the practice of literature, culture and knowledge in the country.
Md Zillur Rahman, deputy director of the Department of Public Libraries, said this at a workshop on 'Bangladesh Public Libraries Act' organised by the department at its conference room in the city yesterday.
Speaking as the chief guest, Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad said, "Every institutions should have specific rules and regulations. But it is a matter of great regret that there is no law to properly manage the libraries even after 38 years of independence."
He stressed the need to formulate a time-befitting law to run and protect the libraries across the country and to expand the scope of study for the countrymen.
He also said that hi-tech park, software technology park, ICT incubator and computer village would be set up in the country in order to build a Digital Bangladesh.
According to the draft act, an advisory council will be formed to supervise the management service of the libraries and to improve the standards of the libraries. The minister of the ministry concerned will be the chairman of the 11-members committee.
According to a provision of the Act, there will be five levels of public libraries across the country. They are central public libraries, divisional public libraries, city public libraries, district public libraries and non-government public libraries.
According to another provision, the government would set up a 'Public Libraries Fund' to provide all kinds of financial assistance.
Talking to The Daily Star, an official of the Department of Public Libraries said a seven-member committee headed by Prof Abdullah Abu Sayeed, president of Bishwa Sahitya Kendra, would be formed immediately to review some provisions of the draft act.
Chaired by Md Sharful Alam, secretary to the cultural affairs ministry, the workshop was also addressed by Abdullah Abu Sayeed, Nur Hossain Talukdar, director (joint secretary) of Department of Public Libraries, and M Samsul Islam Khan, head of Publications unit of ICDDR,B.