Question

What is the primary purpose of the Delivery of Books Act, 1954?

• A. To regulate library staff recruitment
• B. To ensure copies of publications are deposited in national libraries
• C. To promote digital libraries
• D. To control book prices in India

Hint:

Under the {Delivery of Books and Newspapers (Public Libraries) Act, 1954}, publishers must send copies of their publications to designated national libraries to preserve the nation's documentary heritage.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Question
The question asks for the main objective of the Delivery of Books and Newspapers (Public Libraries) Act, 1954. This act is a key piece of library legislation in India.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach
The approach is to understand the function of legal deposit laws. Such laws are designed to preserve a nation's intellectual and cultural output.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation

The Delivery of Books Act, 1954 (later amended in 1956 to include newspapers) is a legal deposit law.
It mandates that every publisher in India must deliver, free of cost, a copy of every book, newspaper, or serial they publish to four designated national deposit libraries: the National Library of India (Kolkata), Connemara Public Library (Chennai), Delhi Public Library (Delhi), and The Asiatic Society of Mumbai (Mumbai).
The primary goal is to ensure the preservation of the nation's published heritage for future generations.

Step 4: Final Answer
The main purpose of the Act is to mandate the deposit of publications in national libraries. Therefore, Option (B) is the correct answer.