Library Board of Western Australia
The Library Board of Western Australia 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 53 years later there are now 233 registered public libraries throughout the State operated in partnership between State Library of Western Australia and Local Governments.
The Act provides for the constitution and functions of the Library Board and prescribes the relationship between the Board and Local Government in the provision of public library services.
Management of the State Library was added to the Library Board’s responsibilities in 1955, which included the delivery of reference services and the collection and preservation of the State’s documentary heritage. Official responsibility for the State’s public records was added to the Act in 1974, but was repealed in 2001 with the passage of the State Records Act 2000 and the establishment of a separate State Records Commission.
The Ministry for Culture and the Arts was established in 1997. In 2001 it was renamed Department of Culture and the Arts. The Department forms the culture and arts portfolio with the five following organisations:
- Art Gallery of Western Australia (a statutory authority);
- State Library of Western Australia (a statutory authority);
- Western Australian Museum (a statutory authority);
- Perth Theatre Trust (a statutory authority); and
- ScreenWest Incorporated (an incorporated association).
More information on the Library Board Act.
More information on Library Board members.
Page last updated: 08/02/2010 16:28:56