The State Library of Western Australia operates under the Library Board of Western Australia Act 1951.

The Act was enacted in 1951 to establish a free public library system in Western Australia. It established the Library Board of Western Australia as a statutory body with management responsibility to oversee this process. The first public library opened in York in 1954 and fifty three years later there are now 239 registered public libraries throughout the State.

While the Act has served well, it requires a refresh to reflect the current environment under which the Library Board, State Library of Western Australia, and Local Government operate for the provision of library services.

Proposed Changes to the Library Board of Western Australia Act 1951

The Department of Culture and the Arts is currently proposing a package of amendments to cultural institution legislation designed to modernise governance arrangements. One of the Acts under review is the Library Board of Western Australia Act 1951.

Proposed changes to the Act fall into three broad areas:

1. Library Board Structure and Governance
   The Board structure and responsibilities currently reflect a 1950’s approach to governance and the status of the Western Australian public library network at that time. Emphasis in the review will be on meeting modern corporate governance requirements and will also consider the size and level of representation on the Library Board.
   
   
2. Relationship with Local Government and responsibilities of the Library Board in relation to public libraries
   The current Act reflects the era in which it was developed and since 1951 Western Australia’s public library network has evolved to become a mature, yet diverse operation. Emphasis in the review will be on the role of the Board in the operation of public libraries against the context of 21st century local government and library practice, and the Framework Agreement between the Library Board and Local Government.
   
   
3. Legal Deposit
   Western Australia is currently the only Australian jurisdiction without Legal Deposit legislation following the repealing of two different acts in recent years. The review proposes to re-introduce Legal Deposit requirements for Western Australian publications including printed material, sound, film and electronic publications.

Community Consultation

The State Library of Western Australia and the Library Board of Western Australia recognise the importance of engaging our partners, the community and staff in consultation to benefit from the experiences and knowledge of those people in the community who are most affected by our policy decisions. The consultation into the review of the Act will be open and fair. All views will be sought, valued and considered so that we achieve the best outcome for the people of Western Australia.

• Consultation Paper 1 has been prepared for the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA).
• Consultation Paper 2 has been prepared for public librarians.
• Consultation Paper 3 has been prepared for WA publishers, authors and creators of music, film, electronic and print publishing.
• Consultation Paper 4 has been prepared for the general public.

A public workshop to discuss the proposed changes was held on Tuesday 3 July 2007, 5.00pm on the 4th floor of the State Library, Alexander Library Building. This report summarises the views expressed during consultation.

Library Board of Western Australia Act 1951

To view the most current electronic version of the Act use the Statutes ‘A-Z browse’ or the ‘Search’ function on the State Law Publisher’s website: http://www.slp.wa.gov.au/statutes/swans.nsf