Joint Circular No. 97/TTLB/VHTTDL-TT guiding the financial management regime and state investment policy for public libraries

JOINT CIRCULAR

Guidelines on Financial Management and State Investment Policy for Public Libraries

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Library activities are a very important part of cultural endeavors aimed at supplementing knowledge and enhancing cultural levels to meet the information needs of the people. In recent years, library operations have not met the minimum requirements of readers, lacking conditions for storing, preserving, and utilizing books and newspapers, which are important sources of knowledge to serve the current renewal process.

Implementing Directive No. 321/CT dated November 17, 1989 of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers on urgent issues in the Cultural sector; the Joint Ministry of Culture - Information - Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Finance provide guidelines on the issuance, management of financial resources, and state investment policy for public libraries.

I/ GENERAL PRINCIPLES:

1\. Libraries are public service units tasked with raising the people's knowledge, providing scientific and technical information, and fostering noble thoughts, feelings, and aesthetic tastes for readers. At the same time, they store long-term domestic and foreign publications and other informational materials imported into the country.

2\. The subjects implementing this Circular are the public library systems classified and ranked according to Circular No. 1043-LĐTBXH-TL dated May 5, 1989 issued by the Ministry of Culture (the former Ministry of Culture) and the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs. National libraries and specialized libraries have separate regulations.

3\. The level of regular funding provided to public libraries is based on the quantity of books and newspapers specified in Point 1, Section II below and the regular cost requirements necessary to ensure normal library operations and gradually improve service quality.

4\. On the basis of ensuring primary tasks, encourage libraries to generate income through activities to increase public service funds and contribute to improving the living standards of staff. Income-generating public service activities are implemented according to Circular No. 03 TC/HCVX dated February 16, 1989 of the Ministry of Finance.

5\. Annually, based on the development situation of the library and the need to consolidate and enhance material and technical facilities, libraries receive additional construction investment capital or funds from the State Budget (central and local) for major repairs and fixed asset purchases to supplement material and technical facilities, improve book storage quality, and enhance reader service effectiveness.

II\. SPECIFIC PROVISIONS

1\. Under the current financial situation, annually, libraries receive funds from the State Budget (central and local) to purchase books and newspapers according to the book quota and number of copies within the minimum and maximum limits set forth in the table below:

Note: Among the above books, political-social books and science and technology books account for 30-40%. For large provinces and cities, books and newspapers from abroad (mainly the Soviet Union and fraternal countries) can be purchased beyond the above limits.

2\. The quotas above only apply to libraries that have storage facilities and specialized equipment necessary for preservation, technical processing, and effective organization of reader services.

Border province, mountainous area, island, and children's libraries are prioritized for investment in specialized equipment, books, and office space.

3\. To standardize reader service work, libraries must develop annual activity plans divided by quarters along with budget estimates. These plans must be reviewed and approved by the supervising authority and the finance department.

After approval, the finance department is responsible for issuing funds to ensure the normal operation of libraries. Expenditures by libraries must comply with their approved purposes and plans.

III\. INVESTMENT METHODS:

1\. Regular funding level = book and newspaper purchase capital + reasonable regular operating costs.

a\. Book and newspaper purchase capital includes: printed materials and documents recorded on paper (books, newspapers, magazines, maps, reproductions, photographs...), film, magnetic tape, audio discs, and other informational materials.

b\. Regular operating costs include:

- Wages and current wage supplements according to existing regulations.

- Costs for library business activities.

- Purchase of service equipment due to increased book collections and readers annually.

- Administrative management costs.

Determining the appropriate level of book and newspaper purchase capital and regular operating costs is reviewed by the supervising authority and the finance department at the same level according to each type of library, annual activity plan, or stable over several years based on current regulations and local prices.

To effectively utilize and circulate books, newspapers, and magazines throughout the province, annually, provincial libraries prepare budgets for purchasing books and newspapers for county libraries under their management and organize circulation among counties.

2\. In addition to the regular funding mentioned above, annually, the supervising authority and the finance department at the same level are responsible for guiding libraries to develop plans to request construction investment capital and funds for major repairs or fixed asset purchases, and submit them for review by People's Committees at all levels. Based on the approved plans, finance departments at all levels are responsible for fully issuing funds for building libraries, storage facilities, and purchasing equipment and operational tools such as typewriters, film readers, photocopy machines...

3\. Implementation Organization:

To standardize library operations, annually, the supervising authority reviews and compiles quarterly plans submitted to the People's Committees at all levels and sends them to the finance department at the same level for coordination in the State Budget and fund allocation.

Book purchase investment funds must be used for their intended purpose; libraries may not use them for other expenses. Departments of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and Departments of Finance regularly inspect the use of these funds. Encourage libraries to create additional funds to supplement book purchases and equipment serving readers.

IV/ EFFECTIVE DATE:

This Circular takes effect from the date of signature and is uniformly implemented nationwide. If there are difficulties during implementation, localities and libraries should send written reports to the two Ministries for study and resolution./.