1920-30

A position as "Inspector of Libraries" was created under an agreement between the government and the counties, with cost covered on a 50/50 basis. The government had the power of inspection. In those
days one could send round inspectors.

"I was looking for Lower Tune library and found that there had once been a library by that name..."During my inspections I have specifically noted the sorry state of the school libraries..."

Østfold Inspectorate for Public and School Libraries 1920.

Big Public Libraries could be recognized as Central Libraries under certain conditions, and would receive government grants. The first library law came in 1935 and bore the signs of the depression. It made a framework without binding financial responsibilities for government and local authorities. The Chief Librarian of Fredrikstad, Miss Kaja Stabell was appointed Inspector of Libraries for Østfold in November 1936. In her report for 1937-38 she writes:

"There have been some glimmers of light during this year, as several defunct libraries now are up and running again...It is, however, depressing to see a prosperous local authority like Trøgstad doing so
little for the library, that it is now virtually a caricature of a library- The chairman answered my questions of why, by saying that nobody in the locality liked reading. On hearing that books have not been purchased for several years, this comes as no surprise."

The library law of 1947 with revision of 1955 established the Central Libraries by law. The financing was split between the government and the counties. But the Central Library was a municipal institution with
only one committee member appointed by the County and the Government had the authority of instruction. The Inspectors of Libraries carried on as before, but the function was gradually transferred to the County Library without being an official part of it.

A new law about County Authorities from 1961 did not have any direct consequences for the Central Libraries on the Inspectors of Libraries.

1972
In the library law of 1971, the County Libraries became included in the text and the Central Libraries automatically became County Libraries. The arrangement with Inspectors of Libraries disappeared. The
inspection continued, but now in a more careful manner. Although the Government kept a considerable power of instruction, it was clear that the authority of former days had gone and the inspections
became more like advisory visits. From 1972 two of the District Librarians share the inspection work. The Inspector of Libraries has now got the title of County Librarian. In 1972 the County Librarian, Arne Kr. Sollid (who was also the Chief Librarian of Fredrikstad Municipal Public Library) writes:

"The new library law is now being implemented, which means that the County Library (the name Central Library is now obsolete) has become amore efficient tool. This again will bring about a better service for the public and school libraries in Østfold."

The County Libraries had now become institutions under the County Council, but the Government still had a considerable say. Cooperation with the host library was compulsory, so that the tradition with a
Central Library for the whole county continued. The library committee of the host library should be represented on the County Library committee. Up to the county reform in 1975/76, the County Libraries
acted as representatives of the Government Library Inspectorate without it being established by law. At that time the County and the Regional Governmental authorities were still entwined.

1975
The cultural report and the reform of the counties of 1975/76 had important consequences: A clear distinction between government and county responsibilities.
The Office of the Government's Representative in the County and the County Administration were separated.
A new structure of committees and administration in the Counties and the local authorities. The County Library Committees with a representative from the host library were abolished. This
happened without the Library Law being altered. The idea of the County Library as a representative of the Government Inspectorate changed and disappeared without it being discussed and clarified. At the
end of the seventies discussions were held about the place of the County Librarian in the organisation, the authority of the County in respect of the County Librarian etc.

1985

A new system of revenue for the local authorities and the Counties would mean the end of many earmarked government grants for the public and county libraries. From 1986 all grants were given as a lump sum. It is up to the County Council to distribute the means to enable the County Library to fulfil its obligations. A revision of the Library Law of 1971 was therefore necessary. The current law dates from 1986 with revisions from 1993.

Østfold had a Mobile Library dating back to 1948. Until the new system for raising revenue was introduced, the Government refunded 50% of the running costs and the County funded the rest. In 1985 the County was still willing to cover 50% of the cost provided that the local authorities paid the rest. Unfortunately, not enough of the local authorities were willing to pay, and the Mobile Library was abolished.

THE LIBRARY LAW of 1985 confirmed the administrative changes of 1976. The Government's authority of instruction concerning the County Libraries was mostly removed, with one exception in [[sectionÅÅ11)

A new Local Government Law of 1992 has led to an examination of the Library Law. The result is that the right of instruction can be used only when warranted by law (in [[sectionÅÅ3). All authority rests
with the County Council and the Government's Representative in the County. Instructions are issued by these or by those given authority by them. The government has to deal with the County Council, not
the individual institution. The Government loses the right of sanctioning agreements between the County and the host local authority. The position of the County as regards the local authorities has
gradually altered: first and foremost because of the requirements for county planning, but also in other areas, such as the encouragement of trade and industry and services to outlying areas.

It is in these waters that Østfold County Library is navigating. We have a clear understanding of the distribution of responsibilities between the various levels of government, and will contribute to the realization of Østfold County's aims within our field.