Local Government Act, 1994

Powers of library authorities.

33.—(1) A library authority may take such measures, engage in such activities or do such things in accordance with law (including the incurring of expenditure) for the provision of library services as it considers necessary or desirable.

(2) A library authority may, in particular, arrange for the provision of—

(a) premises and facilities (including mobile facilities) for the borrowing of and reference to books, other printed matters, tapes, discs, slides, videos and such other material as is considered appropriate,

(b) activities and events of educational, cultural, recreational or similar interest,

(c) such information services as can in its opinion be supplied in conjunction with its functions as a library authority.

(3) A library authority shall not by virtue of subsection (1) or (2) undertake any activity which in its opinion would unnecessarily duplicate activity arising from the performance of a statutory function by any other public authority or person.

(4) A library authority may make such arrangements as it considers desirable for the provision of library services to any other library authority, public authority or other body (including a school) or by any such body to that library authority.

(5) A library authority shall from time to time prepare and adopt a programme for the operation and development of its library service.

(6) A library development programme shall include—

(a) an outline of the existing service;

(b) the development objectives and priorities for the library service;

(c) the measures taken or proposed to be taken to secure those objectives;

(d) the financial or other implications of the programme;

(e) such other matters as are considered necessary by the library authority or as the Minister may specify.

(7) The adoption of a library development programme shall be a reserved function.

(8) For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that a library authority shall, following the repeal by this Act of the Public Libraries (Ireland) Act, 1855, have power to acquire land, by agreement or compulsorily.