Section 3
of Sarawak State Library Ordinance, 1999
Section 3
There is hereby established a State library of Sarawak to be known as “the Sarawak State Library” or its equivalent in Bahasa
Melayu “Pustaka Negeri Sarawak” for the following purposes:
(a)
to provide, maintain and preserve library resources and act as a centre for the storage and dissemination or transmission of knowledge, information and data on the State;
(b)
to be a centre for reference, education and information or dissemination of information relevant to the economic, historical, social, cultural, political and other background development and achievements of the State;
(c)
to acquire, maintain and preserve library resources and public records, especially, but not limited to, those published in the State or of interest to the people of Sarawak, and any person with a legitimate interest in having access to such resources;
(d)
to maintain and manage relevant databases on materials published within the State or pertaining to its history, progress, current development, and other information and data on the State, or which have been compiled, produced or kept by the
Government or any governmental authority in Malaysia;
(e)
to maintain and manage an efficient and effective information transmission and dissemination network, including the provision of electronic network system, and to establish an information technology system with linkages to other libraries or information resource centres, within Malaysia or abroad;
(f)
to manage or administer the State Depository for the preservation of public records directed to be deposited therein pursuant to Part IV, and of materials, of whatever form, published in the State;
(g)
to hold and participate in exhibition or display of its library resources and the information or data collected, maintained or held by the State Library;
(h)
to hold seminars, courses and other similar events to promote the use of its library resources, or the information or data collected or maintained by the State Library or at its disposal;
(i)
to promote or stimulate interest in reading, library works and to promote literary arts and the usage of modern technology in the transmission and dissemination of knowledge, information and data;
9
(j)
to facilitate the dissemination of knowledge and information, the appreciation of the arts, culture, traditions, history and achievements of the State and its people;
(k)
to adopt and maintain an efficient and effective communication system for the transmission and distribution of knowledge, information or data, or materials kept, deposited in or maintained by the State Library;
(l)
to provide such services and facilities as the State
Library is able to provide to the public, and to any public library or resource centre, and to provide training for library personnel;
(m)
to establish, manage and maintain public archives in the State;
(n)
to promote efficient and effective records and archives management practices in the State;
(o)
to establish, maintain and operate Record Centres;
(p)
to conduct, promote and facilitate research and training on archives and records management, library services or other related services;
[Sub. Cap. A186/2019.]
(q)
to publish, sell or distribute publications concerning or relating to public archives, or concerning the activities of and facilities provided by the State Library;
(r)
to promote public awareness activities on aspects pertaining to management of public records and public archives through exhibitions, audio-visual educational packages and other educational programmes; and
(s)
to undertake or carry out such functions and provide such services as the Majlis Mesyuarat Kerajaan Negeri may from time to time assign or direct.
[Ins. Cap. A144, Am. Cap. A186/2019.]
10