Amendments to the Law on Libraries may limit the autonomy of local governments — local authorities warn of the risk of delays and increased costs in library management.
The Union of Local Governments of Latvia has opposed amendments to the Law on Libraries that are being prepared for a second reading in the Saeima. The issue concerns a provision that allows for the reorganization or closure of a municipal library only after obtaining an opinion from the Latvian Library Council, writes LETA.
Currently, such an opinion is advisory in nature: local governments make decisions independently, taking the council's opinion into account. According to the union, the new version effectively turns consultation into mandatory approval and increases external control.
The organization emphasizes that this will affect a key right of local governments — to independently determine the structure of institutions and the ways of providing services to residents. This could become particularly sensitive in situations where decisions need to be made quickly, for example, for safety reasons or due to a lack of funding.
An additional problem is funding. Libraries are fully funded by local budgets, but the body whose opinion will become mandatory will not bear responsibility for the financial consequences of decisions. The union believes this creates an imbalance: decisions become more complicated, while responsibility remains at the local level.
For residents, this may mean slower changes in library operations — from optimizing the network to closing or merging branches.
The amendments to the law have already been supported in the first reading. They are part of a broader package of changes aimed at updating regulations and adapting libraries to modern challenges.
In addition to the controversial provision, the bill proposes extending the accreditation period for libraries from five to six years, clarifying requirements for managers, and reducing the amount of data required for registration.
It also introduces a new definition of a library as a center for information, culture, and public communication, expanding its functions — from supporting education and media literacy to developing digital skills and civic engagement.
The document specifically outlines the network of libraries in Latvia, where the National Library of Latvia is established as a center for methodological and professional support.
According to the cultural statistics portal, in 2025, there were 1,288 libraries operating in Latvia, including 710 public libraries and over 500 associated with educational institutions.
The library reform expands their role but simultaneously raises debate about where the line is drawn between coordination and restriction of local autonomy.
