Identity area
Type of entity
Authorized form of name
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
History
The first Provincial Board was formed in 1935. The board has been responsible for public library services throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. This makes the organizational structure different from most other Canadian provinces where public libraries are a part of municipal or regional government services.
The Provincial Board is charged with the responsibility of:
• Establishing and operating public libraries throughout the province.
• A Provincial Reference and Resource Library.
• A centralized Technical Services division.
• Library services to communities without libraries through a Books-by-Mail Service.
• Centralized Administrative services from its provincial headquarters.
The Provincial Board presently operates 96 public libraries throughout the province. These Libraries are divided into four administrative divisions:
• West Newfoundland and Labrador Division (31 libraries)
• Central Division (33 libraries)
• Eastern Division (29 libraries)
• St. John's City Libraries (3 libraries)
Each of the local Public Libraries has its own local library board which is accountable to the Provincial Board. These local boards advise and assist the Provincial Board.