The Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 (c. 75) is an act of the United Kingdom Parliament. It created a statutory duty for local authorities in England and Wales[1] "to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service for all persons".[2] It also allowed local authorities to "provide and maintain museums and art galleries".
| Act of Parliament | |
 | |
| Long title | An Act to place the public library service provided by local authorities in England and Wales under the superintendence of the Secretary of State, to make new provision for regulating and improving that service and as to the provision and maintenance of museums and art galleries by such authorities, and for purposes connected with the matters aforesaid. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 1964 c. 75 |
| Territorial extent | England and Wales |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 31 July 1964 |
| Commencement | 1 April 1965 |
Status: Amended | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Text of the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk. | |
Background
editThe Act was based on research including the 1962 Bourdillon Report (Standards of Public Library Service in England and Wales) which set out the resources which would be required to provide a comprehensive service.[3]
References
edit- ^ "Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 1964 c. 75, retrieved 30 July 2024
- ^ "Libraries as a statutory service". Department for Culture, Media and Sport. 1 April 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
- ^ Davies, Dr Steve (30 January 2018). "Time for a new Public Libraries and Museums Act". Voices for the Library. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022.