Cap. 511 чл. 7National Librarian to the Chief Executive Officer.

(1) The National Librarian shall be the chief executive officer of the Malta Libraries, and he shall be the keeper of books, documents, manuscripts, publications, records, works and other materials, regardless of form or medium, conserved in the libraries. The National Librarian shall:

(a) assume full responsibility for the administration and organization and the administrative control of the implementation of the objectives of the Malta Libraries;

(c) advise the Minister and the Council on any matter they may refer to him or on any matter which he considers necessary or expedient;

(d) regulate and generally supervise the work of the libraries and of the library services in general in accordance with international requirements and standards;

(e) ensure that all laws related to copyright and dissemination of information are duly respected;

(f) liaise with other public bodies concerning the supply of data and the coordination of activities with library implications;

(g) on the advice of the Council, and with the approval of the Minister, dispose of records in his custody which do not warrant preservation by the Malta Libraries;

(h) enter into arrangements with other institutions for the joint management or conservation or restoration of libraries or library material, and for the provision of reprographic or other technical facilities;

(i) keep updated with international library developments through following the published literature, attendance of relevant conferences, training sessions and workshops and networking with peers to transmit such knowledge to own Malta Libraries staff and the local library community and translate such knowledge into ideas and projects that further improve the Malta Libraries; and

(j) perform such other duties as the Minister may assign to him from time to time.

(2) Without prejudice to the foregoing, in respect of the National Library, the Deputy Librarian National Library shall:

(a) manage and conserve its national collections for present and future generations and ensure their accessibility to researchers;

(b) continue to acquire, assemble and conserve documents, publications, records, works, whether electronic or not, published in Malta, or by Maltese authors, or about Malta, or in the Maltese language, or about any aspect of Maltese studies by any author, wherever they are published;

(c) acquire, assemble and conserve manuscripts and other unpublished material on any subject by Maltese authors, or on any aspect of Maltese studies by any resources available;

(e) continue to develop, within the National Library, a National Bibliographic Centre that will maintain the Malta National Bibliography;

(f) make its collections known by organising exhibitions and other promotional events; and

(g) work closely with the National Archivist such that users of both institutions can easily access each other’s collections for users’ greater benefit.

(3) In respect of the other libraries, the Deputy Librarian Public Libraries shall:

(a) maintain a network of the libraries listed in the Schedule;

(b) involve and advise the Regional and Local Councils in the administration of regional and branch libraries according to the standards of best practice regulating such libraries;

(c) provide access to all library reference and lending services to foster and strengthen the reading habits of all age groups;

(d) support individual formal and non-formal education and literacy activities and programmes at all levels and for all age groups;

(e) promote opportunities for personal creative development and for awareness and appreciation of cultural heritage, literature, scientific achievements and innovations;

(f) provide information services to individuals, local enterprises, and associations;

(g) provide professional advice, guidance and assistance on the establishment and management of libraries and on the training of library and information professionals;

(h) inspect the libraries and establish and ensure compliance with standards for their management to actively promote the improvement of such standards;

(i) ensure the arrangement and description of the holdings of the libraries and provide appropriate finding aids to facilitate access to them;

(j) give advice to users on the use of the libraries; and

(k) make the holdings and services of the Libraries known by organising exhibitions and other promotional activities and events. in the said libraries and shall be available for inspection.

(2) Loans of records or objects belonging to the Malta Libraries outside Malta may not be made without the written permission of the Minister given following consultation with the National Librarian and the Council.