The legal framework of the spanish library system

Abstract

Public libraries are a unique instrument to access information and enable cultural and social development in the interests of Article 44 of the Spanish Constitution that guarantees the right of all citizens to culture. By virtue of the Magna Carta, the Autonomous Communities have assumed full competences in terms of culture and, specifically, in libraries. So all of them have promulgated their own laws to regulate their corresponding library systems. Therefore, this paper aims to delve into the legal framework of library systems in Spain, taking into account the three administrative levels and paying special attention to the Andalusian regime. From a didactic point of view, it is deepened in the current state regulations starting from its primitive legislative roots to stop in a comparative analysis of the different autonomic norms, and, ending with the most significant aspects that characterize the public service of municipal libraries, as well as the educational ones.