Establishment of The Philippine Public Library
Act No. 1849, enacted on June 3, 1908, establishes "The Philippine Public Library" with an initial appropriation of 4,000 pesos for acquiring books and suitable quarters. A committee, appointed by the Governor-General and the Speaker of the Assembly, is tasked with collecting and purchasing relevant materials for the library. The library is authorized to accept donations and manage its properties under a board comprising the Secretary of Public Instruction and appointed members. The librarian, appointed by the Governor-General, oversees the library's operations and can establish rules for its management. All financial activities will be audited, and any conflicting laws are repealed.
June 3, 1908
ACT NO. 1849
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PUBLIC LIBRARY TO BE KNOWN AS "THE PHILIPPINE PUBLIC LIBRARY," MAKING SUITABLE APPROPRIATIONS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
SECTION 1. For the purpose of establishing a library which shall be known as "The Philippine Public Library," the sum of three thousand pesos is hereby appropriated, out of any funds in the Insular Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the purchase of books, papers, documents and periodicals relating to the Philippines and to the history thereof, and for the purchase of such other books, papers, documents, and periodicals as may be proper for the purpose of a public library in the opinion of the library committee provided for by this Act. The further sum of one thousand pesos is hereby appropriated, out of any funds in the Insular Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the securing and fitting up of suitable quarters for said library upon the establishment thereof as hereinafter provided. ScaCEH
SECTION 2. A committee of three, to be known as "The Philippine Public Library Committee," shall be appointed by the Governor-General and the Speaker of the Assembly, and shall collect, select for purchase, and purchase, out of the funds appropriated by this Act, such books, papers, documents and periodicals relating to the Philippines and to the history thereof and such other books, papers, documents, and periodicals, as to said committee may seem proper for the establishment and the uses and purposes of the Philippine Public Library. It shall be the duty of the said committee to make a careful investigation of all books, papers, documents, and periodicals now in the hands of the Government relating to the Philippines and to the history thereof, and to make due report of its investigations to the Governor-General, who, upon the recommendation of said committee, may direct the transfer of all said books, papers, documents, and periodicals not required for official purposes to the Philippine Public Library upon the appointment of the librarian provided for by this Act.
SECTION 3. When in the opinion of said committee sufficient books, papers, documents, and periodicals have been collected or purchased to justify the actual establishment and the opening of the Philippine Public Library, said committee shall so report to the Governor-General, and thereupon the Governor-General shall appoint a librarian for said Philippine Public Library at a salary not to exceed three thousand pesos per annum, and said committee shall secure and fit up suitable quarters for said library.
SECTION 4. The Philippine Public Library is authorized to receive and accepts gifts, donations, bequests, devises, and transfers of property and money for the use and benefit of said Philippine Public Library, and to acquire and secure an income from its properties, and to invest its funds for the use and benefit of said Philippine Public Library, and to spend such income in the interest of said library and for library purposes.
SECTION 5. The administration of said library and the care, control, and management of all its properties, whether real or personal, is hereby vested in a board composed of the Secretary of Public Instruction, the librarian of said library, and a committee of three to be appointed by the Governor-General and the Speaker of the Assembly. Such board shall be known as "The Philippine Public Library Board," and, in addition to its other powers, it shall have power and authority to appoint, in accordance with civil-service rules, the subordinate personnel or employees of said library: Provided, however, That the librarian of said library shall be appointed by the Governor-General. HEITAD
SECTION 6. The librarian under the supervision and control of the Philippine Public Library Board, shall have direct care and custody of all books, papers, documents, and periodicals, and other library property belonging to the Philippine Public Library or confided to its care. With the approval of the Philippine Public Library Board the librarian shall have the power to adopt and enforce suitable rules and regulations for the government and orderly management of said library, and shall perform such other duties as may be required of him by the Philippine Public Library Board.
SECTION 7. Books, papers, documents, periodicals, and all other reading matter required for the uses and purposes of said Philippine Public Library, may be ordered by the Philippine Public Library Board without the intervention of the Purchasing Agent.
SECTION 8. All accounts of said Philippine Public Library must be duly approved by the Philippine Public Library Board and shall be audited in accordance with the provisions of Act Numbered Seventeen hundred and ninety-two.
SECTION 9. All Acts and parts of Acts inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed.
SECTION 10. This Act shall take effect on its passage.
Enacted: June 3, 1908.