Executive
Council Resolution No. (78) of 2022
Regulating Public Libraries in the Emirate of Dubai[1]
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We, Hamdan bin Mohammed
bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of the Executive
Council,
After perusal of:
Federal Law by Decree No. (18) of 2016 Concerning Reading;
Law No. (3) of 2003 Establishing the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai;
Law No. (6) of 2008 Establishing the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority;
Law No. (1) of 2016 Concerning the Financial Regulations of the Government of Dubai, and its Implementing Bylaw and its amendments;
Law No. (5) of 2021 Concerning the Dubai International Financial Centre;
Decree No. (22) of 2009 Concerning Special Development Zones in the Emirate of Dubai;
Local Order No. (9) of 2003 Regulating the Public Libraries of the Dubai Municipality and its Implementing Bylaw; and
The legislation establishing and regulating free zones in the Emirate of Dubai,
Do hereby issue this Resolution.
The following words and expressions, wherever mentioned in this Resolution, will have the meaning indicated opposite each of them unless the context implies otherwise:
|
Emirate: |
The Emirate of Dubai. |
|
DCAA: |
The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. |
|
Information Resources: |
All types and forms of digital and printed reading materials available in a Public Library, including books, magazines, periodicals, letters, research material, manuscripts, correspondence, maps, tapes, audio and visual materials, drawings, and natural and man-made models. |
|
Public Library: |
A building or website of the DCAA in which Information Resources are collected and organised to be accessed by community members using all available means, and in which traditional and innovative services in the field of culture, art, and literature are provided. This includes Digital Libraries. |
|
Digital Library: |
An electronic platform that is developed by the DCAA or to which the DCAA contributes or subscribes, and that contains electronically stored Information Resources which are digitally managed, used, and displayed and can be accessed through the internet or smart applications. |
a. The provisions of this Resolution apply to all Public Libraries in the Emirate, including in Special Development Zones and free zones, such as the Dubai International Financial Centre.
b. The provisions of this Resolution do not apply to:
1. the libraries that are established pursuant to special legislation and that are not affiliated to the DCAA; and
2. the libraries established by Government Entities at their premises.
A Public Library will have the following objectives:
1. to disseminate knowledge, culture, and awareness amongst community members and provide them with access to various forms and types of Information Resources;
2. to instil the reading and self-learning culture amongst the younger generation and to raise their awareness of the importance of reading, scientific and knowledge-based research, and creative thinking;
3. to contribute to enhancing the national identity and promoting the cultural, scientific, literary, civilisation, and humanitarian heritage of the United Arab Emirates; and
4. to develop the cultural, intellectual, artistic, and creative skills and competencies of all members of the community.
For the purposes of implementing this Resolution and achieving the objectives of Public Libraries, the DCAA will have the duties and powers to:
1. establish Public Libraries in the Emirate, supervise their equipment, operation, and management, and provide them with the necessary human, material, and technical resources;
2. conduct the studies required for determining the need for establishing Public Libraries in various areas of the Emirate;
3. provide, and continuously update, various high-quality services within Public Libraries using the most up-to-date scientific and technological methods that help the visitors of Public Libraries access information and conduct knowledge-based, cultural, and scientific research;
4. organise in Public Libraries different cultural, artistic, and literary events and activities that are suitable for various segments of community members and that meet their preferences and needs;
5. provide, and continuously and regularly supply, Public Libraries with various types of cultural, scientific, and knowledge-based Information Resources, in accordance with the relevant standards and policies approved by the DCAA;
6. maintain the contents and possessions of Public Libraries, including valuable books and transcripts, in accordance with the best international standards and specifications; and present them in a manner that reflects their cultural, literary, and historical value;
7. establish the requirements and standards for selecting and acquiring Information Resources and for subscribing to Databases and Digital Libraries;
8. provide Information Resources that are suitable for persons with disabilities and for persons with reading disorders;
9. establish and develop cooperation and partnerships with libraries and specialised cultural, educational, and professional institutions, and with other concerned entities, within and outside of the Emirate;
10. organise training courses in the field of library science for those working in Public Libraries with a view to enhancing their competencies and skills;
11. present and showcase the best practices followed by the DCAA in establishing, managing, and supervising Public Libraries; and provide technical and specialised consultations in this field to public and private entities upon their request;
12. hold and participate in book fairs, conferences, seminars, and lectures in fields related to libraries, culture, heritage, and literature;
13. provide the visitors of Public Libraries with opportunities
for scientific discussions and debates, and with the information and techniques
required for searching for Information Resources; and train them on the
effective use of these techniques and information to maximise the benefit from
the same;
14. promote the services and events of Public Libraries in all media and social networking platforms; and
15. exercise any other duties or powers required for achieving the objectives of Public Libraries, as prescribed by the implementing bylaw of this Resolution.
a. The provisions of this Resolution apply to Digital Libraries to the extent that these provisions do not conflict with the nature of these libraries.
b. The establishment of, and the conditions and rules for using and availing of the services of, Digital Libraries will be regulated by the implementing bylaw of this Resolution.
a. Membership in Public Libraries will be available for all members and institutions of the community. The DCAA will determine and facilitate the necessary membership procedures.
b. Membership in a Public Library will be for a term of five (5) years, renewable for the same period.
c. The requirements, categories, and benefits of membership in Public Libraries and all other matters related to membership will be regulated by the implementing bylaw of this Resolution.
The borrowing of Information Resources, and the relevant rules and procedures, including those related to security deposit and the cases of its confiscation, will be governed by the implementing bylaw of this Resolution.
a. No Government Entity or private entity in the Emirate may establish a library that is open to the public in any location other than their premises without first obtaining the relevant approval from the DCAA.
b. No individual may establish any library that is open to the public in his private residence in the Emirate without first obtaining the relevant approval from the DCAA.
The following acts are prohibited within a Public Library:
1. damaging or misusing the facilities and possessions of the Public Library, including its Information Resources, equipment, systems, tools, furniture, or supplies; or cyber attacking or hacking the smart applications or website of the Public Library;
2. delay in returning Information Resources that have been borrowed from the Public Library beyond the scheduled date or damaging these resources;
3. using the membership of another person to avail of the services and benefits offered by the Public Library;
4. failure to maintain quietness within the Public Library and causing inconvenience to others;
5. entering the Public Library in an inappropriate appearance or immodest outfit;
6. accessing unauthorised places within the Public Library without a prior permission from the DCAA;
7. smoking inside the Public Library or inside any of its facilities or closed rooms;
8. bringing animals into the Public Library;
9. using the emergency exits of the Public Library in other than emergency situations;
10. holding an event or sending an invitation to a meeting in the Public Library without first obtaining the relevant permit from the DCAA;
11. eating or drinking in other than the designated places within the Public Library or in a manner that damages its possessions or its interior;
12. committing any act that may adversely affect the cleanliness of the Public Library;
13. raising donations; advertising or promoting any goods or commodities in any manner; promoting any ideas or beliefs; or distributing any publications, without first obtaining the relevant approvals of the DCAA; or
14. committing any other act prohibited under the implementing bylaw of this Resolution.
In return for memberships in Public Libraries, the DCAA will collect the fees and security deposits set forth in Schedule (1) attached hereto.
a. Without prejudice to any stricter penalty stipulated in any other resolution, a person who commits any of the acts stated in Schedule (2) attached hereto will be punished by the fine indicated opposite that act.
b. The amount of the fine prescribed in the Schedule referred to in paragraph (a) of this Article will be doubled if the same violation is repeated within one (1) year from the date of the previous violation. A fine must not exceed one thousand dirhams (AED 1,000.00).
c. In addition to the penalty of a fine referred to in paragraph (a) of this Article, the DCAA may take one or more of the following measures against a violator:
1. suspension of his membership in the Public Library for a period not exceeding six (6) months;
2. termination of his membership in the Public Library;
3. depriving him of access to the Public Library; and/ or
4. confiscating the Public Library membership security deposit collected pursuant to this Resolution.
d. Imposing the fines prescribed by the provisions of this Article will not prejudice the right of the DCAA to hold the violator liable for compensation of the damage sustained by the Public Library or the Information Resources on account of the violation, in addition to payment of a twenty five percent (25%) of the amount of compensation as administrative fees. The DCAA assessment of such compensation and fees will be final.
The employees of the DCAA, nominated pursuant to a resolution of its Director General, will have the capacity of law enforcement officers to record the acts committed in breach of the provisions of this Resolution, its implementing bylaw, and the resolutions issued in pursuance thereof. For this purpose, they may issue the necessary violation reports; and, where necessary, seek the assistance of police personnel.
The revenues collected pursuant to this Resolution, including the fees, security deposits, fines, compensation amounts, and costs, will be paid to the Public Treasury of the Government of Dubai.
The Chairperson of the DCAA will issue the implementing bylaw of this Resolution.
The above-mentioned Local Order No. (9) of 2003 and its Implementing Bylaw are hereby repealed. Any provision in any other resolution will also be repealed to the extent that it contradicts the provisions of this Resolution.
This Resolution will be published in the Official Gazette and will come into force on the day on which it is published.
Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Crown Prince of
Dubai
Chairman of the
Executive Council
Issued in Dubai on 7 December 2022
Corresponding to 13 Jumada al-Ula 1444 A.H.
Schedule (1)
Fees and Security Deposits
for Membership in Public Libraries
|
Security Deposit (in dirhams) |
Membership Fee (in dirhams) |
Membership Category |
SN |
|
75.00 |
- |
Persons who are below twelve (12) years
of age |
1 |
|
150.00 |
50.00 |
Persons who are twelve (12) years of age or more, other than
students of schools or higher education institutions |
2 |
|
150.00 |
- |
Persons with disabilities who are
twelve (12) years of age or more |
3 |
|
150.00 |
25.00 |
Students of schools and
higher education institutions |
4 |
|
150.00 |
- |
Holders of Thukher Card issued by the
Community Development Authority in Dubai |
5 |
|
150.00 |
25.00 |
Employees of local and federal government entities |
6 |
|
400.00 |
50.00 |
Non-profit establishments and
associations |
7 |
|
200.00 |
100.00 |
Families |
8 |
|
400.00 |
150.00 |
Local and federal government entities |
9 |
|
400.00 |
200.00 |
Private companies and establishments |
10 |
Schedule (2)
Violations and Fines
|
SN |
Violation |
Fine (in dirhams) |
|
1 |
Damaging or misusing the facilities or possessions of a Public Library, including its Information Resources, equipment, systems, tools, furniture, or other supplies |
50.00 |
|
2 |
Delay in returning Information Resources that have been
borrowed from the Public Library beyond the scheduled date, or damaging these resources |
AED 0.50 (50 fils) per Information Resource for each day of delay, and up to AED 250.00 |
|
3 |
Allowing others to use a Public
Library membership card to
avail of the services and benefits offered by that Public Library |
250.00 |
|
4 |
Failure to maintain quietness within a Public Library and causing inconvenience to others |
250.00 |
|
5 |
Accessing unauthorised places within a Public Library without a prior permission from the DCAA |
500.00 |
|
6 |
Entering a Public Library in an inappropriate appearance
or immodest
outfit |
250.00 |
|
7 |
Smoking inside a Public Library or inside any of its facilities or closed rooms |
500.00 |
|
8 |
Bringing animals into a Public Library |
250.00 |
|
9 |
Using the emergency exits of a Public Library in other than emergency situations |
500 |
|
10 |
Holding an event or sending an invitation to
a meeting in a
Public Library without first obtaining the relevant permit from the DCAA |
500.00 |
|
11 |
Eating or drinking in other than the
designated places within a
Public Library or in a manner that damages its possessions or its interior |
250.00 |
|
12 |
Committing any act that may adversely affect the cleanliness of a Public Library |
250.00 |
|
13 |
Raising donations; advertising or promoting any goods or commodities in any
manner; promoting any ideas or
beliefs; or distributing any publications, without first obtaining the
relevant approval from the DCAA |
500.00 |
|
14 |
Failure to comply with any other obligations
prescribed by the implementing bylaw of this Resolution. |
250.00 |
©2024 The Supreme Legislation Committee in the
Emirate of Dubai
[1]Every effort has been made to produce an
accurate and complete English version of this legislation. However, for the
purpose of its interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original
Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text will prevail.