Malta is to have a new body to encourage reading for study, research, lifelong learning and leisure and to reflect current modern technological developments in line with international standards.
Introducing the second reading of the Bill setting up the new entity, Education Minister Dolores Cristina said the Libraries would be under the responsibility and management of the National Librarian. This to ensure the collection and conservation of the country’s documentary heritage through, among others, the provision for the legal deposit of publications, and the maintenance and development of public libraries.
The minister admitted that due to inexperience and lack of resources, the sector had not always been given the importance it deserved. The increase in expertise and awareness would now result in a better service, better networking.
The Public Libraries Ordinance dated back to 1937. Even though this legislation had been amended a number of times, it did not tackle new challenges brought about by new technologies such as digitisation and e-books. Neither did it recognise public libraries international networks and the link to local councils.
The concept of a legal deposit was also lacking. The drastic advancement in technology had led to the need of a legal deposit which dealt with audiovisual and electronic media.
Malta Libraries would replace the Public Libraries Department. Apart from the national library, there were 51 branches in Malta and Gozo. These would now be organised to make use of modern systems in order to make books more accessible.
The Bill was a result of the investment the government was making in order to offer a better service. The sum of €100,000 was allocated in this year’s Budget for the purchase of books.
A number of awareness campaigns were undertaken last year towards public use of libraries, and these had resulted in a rise in the number of registrations and books loaned.
There had also been a 12 per cent increase in the number of people who used libraries for research purposes.
There were an additional 42,000 books borrowed between January and September 2010. This was attributed in part to the €100,000 allotted in the 2010 budget for new books. However, there was the need to create a reader-friendly atmosphere in libraries.
The idea behind the Bill was to repeat the success of the 2005 National Archives Act. The two posts of deputy librarians being created – one to be responsible for public libraries, the other to for the national library – would assist the national librarian in the tasks listed in the Bill. These persons had an obligation to strengthen the sector and thus needed to be highly qualified.
The Bill was also strengthening the concept of legal deposit, where after obtaining permission from the national librarian, one would be permitted to download and copy manuscripts and books.
Referring to a survey carried out recently, 82 per cent of those interviewed claimed that they read; 52 per cent preferred English over Maltese, while 44 per cent said they read mostly Maltese. French, German and Spanish were the three preferred foreign languages.
New strategies had to be adopted to attract more people, especially children and younger people, to read more, Mrs Cristina said.
A schedule in the Bill lists the libraries in respect of which the Malta Libraries Act applies.
These are the National Library; the Central Public Library; the regional libraries of Birkirkara, Luqa, Mosta, Paola, Qormi, Rabat and Vittoriosa; and the branch libraries of Attard, Birżebbuġa, Cospicua, Dingli, Fgura, Għargħur, Għaxaq, Gudja, Gżira, Ħamrun, Kalkara, Kirkop, Lija, Marsa, Marsascala, Marsaxlokk, Mellieħa, Mġarr, Mqabba, Msida, Naxxar, Pembroke, Qormi (St Ġorġ), Qrendi, Safi, St Julians, San Ġwann, St Paul’s Bay, Sta Venera, Senglea, Siġġiewi, Sliema, St Andrews, Ta’ Paris, Tarxien, Valletta, Żabbar, Żebbuġ, Żejtun and Żurrieq.
On the sister island: the Gozo Public Library; the Gozo Lending Library; and the branch libraries of Għajnsielem, Għarb, Għasri, Kerċem, Nadur, Qala, San Lawrenz, Sannat, Xagħra, Xewkija and Żebbuġ
Stephen Spiteri (PN) said the public library system in Malta was computerised, which was of essential use to students, the elderly and to those who needed to conduct research.
While people became more conscious of the need of reading, a mobile library was set up last year to promote the use of books among children and students. This was an effective tool to curb illiteracy.