The Malta Libraries Act was published on May 20 after what can be defined as a long and winding road. The need for a new law on libraries that repeals the outdated Chapter 92 of the Laws of Malta relating to public libraries had been felt for many years.

The first attempt at drafting a new libraries law goes back to 2004 when MaLIA had been approached to provide feedback on a draft for a new Bill on libraries. The MaLIA council had provided feedback to the minister responsible for libraries at that time, Louis Galea.

The Report On The State Of Maltese Libraries, published in 2006, provided a wealth of information on the state of local public libraries and the national library (besides other library sectors like academic and specialised libraries) and was used extensively by the MaLIA council to draft a new position statement based on factual information and best practices abroad in the field of legislation concerning libraries.

In the document, MaLIA proposed a new organisational structure, which, apart from suggesting an independently run authority, also recommended two high-level managerial posts, deputising for the national librarian. This document also proposed the establishing of a Libraries Council.

Fast forward to January 2009 when MaLIA was again consulted on the latest draft that was this time much closer to the proposals forwarded by MaLIA. At this stage, the MaLIA council also took the initiative to get all the major stakeholders together and discuss the Bill being proposed in further detail. This led to more feedback arriving from other important areas.

Act No. VII of 2011 may, of course, need to be tweaked in the future but it nevertheless encompasses the main issues and concepts that MaLIA had brought forward in its position statement of 2007. The new law also declares that there shall be a National Librarian and two Deputy Librarians, one for the National Library and one for the Public Libraries. This is good news as the need for a dedicated person in a management position to each of these important sectors, which are distinct in their roles, has been felt and sorely missed over the years.

The legal deposit has now been extended to cover publications in practically all formats. The main lacuna of this important function in the previous law had been the lack of legal backing to collect our published national heritage in the various formats that publishing has evolved to over the years besides the printed format (books and periodicals).

A new and important development that this law will bring about is the formation of what will be known as the Malta Libraries Council. Article 16 spells out the functions of this council that should have an advisory role, which, in my opinion, is nevertheless fundamental in providing the National Librarian with the necessary advice and cooperation to enable the implementation of a long-term strategy that will see our libraries being revamped.

Part III of the law deals mainly with administrative and personnel provisions. The new classification for employees mentioned in article 19 is undoubtedly one of the main bones of contention. There is no doubt that there is a dire need to reclassify the current library grades and also to offer better conditions to professional and para-professional library staff.

So where do we go from here? Have we finally arrived at the Promised Land?

We have made the first step as we now have a legal framework on which to work and move forward. The hard work starts now. I am sure the minister knows full well that the appointment of the National Librarian and his/her deputies and the appointment of the Libraries Council are of vital importance. After these posts have been appointed, it is up to the persons entrusted with the responsibility to move our libraries into the 21 century. As article 33 of the Malta Libraries Act states, the minister will have the authority to make the necessary regulations to further enhance the functionality of this act. The persons appointed in the roles above will be fundamental in providing the minister with the proper guidance on the way forward for our libraries.

My concluding remark must be a heartfelt appeal to all stakeholders to get on board. We need to maximise the use of our resources and ensure that all the necessary synergies are in place. This is the only way we can achieve our goals.

MaLIA will continue following developments closely and giving its support through all the means at its disposal.

The author is deputy chairman of the Malta Library and Information Association.