Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964
1964 act of the UK Parliament that required councils to provide free public libraries
United Kingdom legislation
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. |
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Citation | 1964 c. 75 |
Dates | |
Royal assent | 31 July 1964 |
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".
Background
The 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]