Joint Circular No. 97-TTLB/VHTTTTDL-TC guiding the financial management regime and state investment policies for public libraries

CIRCULAR OF THE JOINT MINISTRIES

Guidelines for financial management

and the state investment policy for public libraries

Library activities are a very important part of cultural undertakings aimed at supplementing knowledge and enhancing cultural levels to meet the information needs of the people. In recent years, library activities have not met the minimum requirements of readers, lacking conditions for storing, preserving, and exploiting books and newspapers - 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 guide the financial allocation system, management, and state investment policy for public libraries.

2. Individuals who have registered as the principal investigator of a Research Project or Pilot Production Project and those participating in its implementation shall not participate in the Evaluation and Selection Council for that Research Project or Pilot Production Project (hereinafter referred to as the Council). In necessary cases, members of the Council may be staff members of the organization registering as the principal investigator of the Research Project or Pilot Production Project, but not more than one person and they cannot serve as Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, or reviewing member.

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

2. The subjects implementing this circular are the classified and ranked public library systems according to Circular No. 1043-LDTBXH-TL dated May 5, 1989 of 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 allocated to public libraries is based on the quantity of books and newspapers specified in Point 1, Section II below and the regular cost requirements to ensure normal library operations and gradually improve service quality.

4. On the basis of ensuring main tasks, encourage libraries to operate with income 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. 3-TC/HCVX dated February 16, 1989 of the Ministry of Finance.

5. Annually, based on the development situation of libraries and the need to consolidate and enhance material and technical facilities, libraries receive additional construction and expansion capital or funds from the state budget (central and local) for major repairs and purchasing fixed assets to supplement material and technical facilities, improve book storage quality, and enhance service effectiveness to readers.

II. SPECIFIC PROVISIONS

1. In the current financial situation, annually, libraries receive state budget funds (central and local) to purchase books and newspapers according to the book quota, number of copies within the minimum and maximum limits set forth below:

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

2. The quotas above only apply to libraries equipped with necessary storage facilities and specialized equipment to effectively manage, process, and organize services for readers.

Libraries in border provinces, mountainous areas, islands, and children's libraries are prioritized for investment in specialized equipment, book funds, and office space.

To standardize reader service work, libraries must develop annual activity plans divided by quarters and include cost estimates. These plans must be reviewed and approved by the supervising authority and the finance department.

After approval, the finance department is responsible for allocating funds to ensure normal library operations. Library expenditures must comply with the approved purpose and plan.

III. INVESTMENT METHODS

1. Regular funding allocation level equals the book and newspaper purchase capital plus reasonable regular operating costs.

a) Book and newspaper purchase capital includes: printed materials 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 volumes and readership annually.

- Administrative management costs.

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

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

2. In addition to the aforementioned regular funding, annually, the supervising authority and the finance department at the same level are responsible for guiding libraries to develop plans to request construction and expansion investment capital and funds for purchasing fixed assets or major repairs, which are submitted for review by the People's Committees at various levels. Based on the approved plan, finance departments at all levels are responsible for fully allocating funds for building libraries, storage facilities, and purchasing operational equipment such as typewriters, film readers, and photocopy machines.

3. Organization of Implementation

To standardize library work, annually, the supervising authority reviews and consolidates quarterly plans to submit to the People's Committees at various levels and sends them to the finance departments at the same level for coordination in the state budget and fund allocation.

Investment capital for purchasing books and newspapers must be used for their intended purposes; libraries may not use it for other expenses. The Departments of Culture and Information and the Departments of Finance regularly inspect the use of this capital. Encourage libraries to create additional resources to supplement book purchase capital and equipment serving readers.

IV. EFFECTIVE DATE OF IMPLEMENTATION

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.