NASSAU LIBRARY [CH.49 – 1

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– [Original Service 2001] STATUTE LAW OF THE BAHAMAS

NASSAU LIBRARY CHAPTER 49

NASSAU LIBRARY

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS SECTION 1. Short title. 2. Interpretation. 3. Name of institution – managers and mode of appointment. 4. Appointment or election of new trustees. 5. Powers of trustees. 6. Librarian to be appointed. 7. Annual report to Minister.

NASSAU LIBRARY [CH.49 – 3

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– [Original Service 2001] STATUTE LAW OF THE BAHAMAS

CHAPTER 49

NASSAU LIBRARY

An Act for establishing and supporting a public library in the City of Nassau.

[Commencement 25th March, 1847]

1. This Act may be cited as the Nassau Library Act. 2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires — “Minister” means the Minister responsible for Edu-

cation. 3. The institution known as The Nassau Public

Library and Reading Room shall be managed by seven trustees to be appointed annually in the month of June in each and every year, four of whom shall be first nominated by the Minister, and three afterwards elected by the subscribers in such manner as the trustees may direct:

Provided that no person shall be qualified to be appointed to act as a trustee unless he shall be a subscriber to the institution.

4. In the case of a vacancy occurring among such trustees between the periods of appointment and election, by the death, resignation, absence from The Bahamas or disqualification of a trustee, it shall be lawful for the Minister, should such vacancy occur among the appointed trustees, to fill up such vacancy, and if the same should occur among the elected trustees, for the subscribers to the said institution to proceed to the election of another trustee to fill up the vacancy so occurring, and the person so appointed or elected shall have the same and like powers, rights and authorities as trustees appointed and elected at the regular annual periods.

5. The trustees shall have full power and authority to accept donations, and to purchase out of the funds of the institution such books, maps, prints, philosophical and other instruments and apparatus, and such natural curiosities as they shall deem proper from time to time to

35 of 1847 18 of 1874 G.N. 10/1964 E.L.A.O., 1974 5 of 1998 5 of 1998, s. 40.

Short title.

Interpretation. E.L.A.O., 1974.

Name of institu- tion – managers and mode of ap- pointment. 18 of 1874, s. 1; E.L.A.O., 1974. 5 of 1998, s. 40.

Appointment or election of new trustees. 18 of 1874, s. 2. E.L.A.O., 1974.

Powers of trustees. E.L.A.O., 1974.

CH.49 – 4] NASSAU LIBRARY

STATUTE LAW OF THE BAHAMAS [Original Service 2001]

place therein, and to make and establish suitable rules for the management, arrangement, preservation, access to and use of the same; and, if they shall think fit, for the loan of books, other than books of reference, from the same; and the said rules or any of them from time to time in their discretion, to alter, add to or annul, and for any so annulled, others to substitute, and out of the funds of the said institution to provide for the lighting and keeping clean the same:

Provided that all such rules and every subsequent addition thereto, or alteration, annulment or substitution thereof shall, before the same shall take effect, be submitted to and approved by the Minister:

Provided also that the said library shall include a collection of books suitable for a working man's library, which shall be made available to the labouring classes of the community, under the rules aforesaid, by a low scale of subscriptions adapted to their means.

6. The trustees shall have authority to appoint a librarian for the said library, and such appointment, when they shall think fit to revoke, and a new appointment to make whenever, from death or any other cause, the office shall become vacant, and to allow the person so appointed, out of the funds of the institution, reasonable remunera- tion for his services.

7. The trustees shall cause a report of the state of the said library, and of the funds thereof, to be submitted annually to the Minister who shall lay a copy of such report on the table of each House of Parliament.

Library to in- clude a collection of books suitable to a working man's library.

Librarian to be appointed. 5 of 1998, s. 40.

Annual report to Minister. E.L.A.O., 1974. 5 of 1998, s. 40.