JOINT CIRCULAR No. 97-VHTTDL-TC/TTLT GUIDING THE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT REGIME AND STATE INVESTMENT POLICY FOR PUBLIC LIBRARIES

JOINT CIRCULAR

Guidelines on financial management systems and state investment policies for public libraries

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Library activities are a very important part of cultural endeavors aimed at supplementing knowledge and improving 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 - important sources of knowledge to serve the current renewal process.

To implement Directive No. 321/CT dated November 17, 1989 of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers on urgent issues in the cultural sector; the Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Finance provide guidelines on the issuance, management, and state investment policies 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 intellectual level of the population, providing scientific and technical information, and fostering noble thoughts, feelings, and aesthetic appreciation among 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 system classified and ranked according to Circular No. 1043-LDTBXH-TL dated May 5, 1989 issued by 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 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 shall be implemented in accordance with Circular No. 03TC/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 improve material and technical facilities, libraries receive additional construction investment capital or funds from the state budget (central and local) for major repairs and purchases of fixed assets to supplement material and technical facilities, enhance book storage quality, and improve service effectiveness for readers.

II. SPECIFIC PROVISIONS

1. Under the current financial situation, each year, libraries receive state budget funds (central and local) to purchase books and newspapers according to the book quota and number of copies within the minimum and maximum limits set out in the table below:

Note:Among the above books, political and social science books and scientific and technological books account for 30-40%. For large provinces and cities, books and newspapers from abroad (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 specialized equipment for preservation, technical processing, and effective organization of reader services.

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

3. 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 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 capital + reasonable operating costs.

a) Book and newspaper capital includes: printed materials on paper (books, newspapers, magazines, maps, prints, photographs...), film-based materials, magnetic tape, audio discs, and other informational materials.

b) Operating costs include:

- Wages and current wage supplements.

- Costs for library business activities.

- Purchase of equipment serving increased book volumes and reader numbers annually.

- Administrative management costs.

Determination of reasonable book and newspaper capital and operating costs is conducted by the supervisory authority and the finance department at the same level, considering each type of library, annual activity plans, or stable periods based on current regulations and local prices.

To effectively utilize and circulate books, newspapers, magazines, and periodicals throughout the province, annually, district libraries under provincial management organize circulation for districts.

2. In addition to the regular funding mentioned above, each year, the supervisory authority and the finance department at the same level guide libraries to prepare plans for requesting construction investment capital and funds for purchasing fixed assets or major repairs, which are submitted to the People's Committees at all levels for review. Based on the approved plan, finance departments at all levels are responsible for fully issuing funds for building libraries, warehouses, and purchasing equipment such as typewriters, film readers, photocopy machines...

3. Implementation:

To standardize library work, each year, the supervisory authority reviews and compiles plans divided into stages, sending them to the finance department at the same level for coordination in the state budget and fund allocation.

Investment funds for purchasing books and newspapers 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 resources to supplement book purchasing funds 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.