Polish library legislation enacted since World War II is directed to the establishment of a library network, centralized in concepts and goals, but decentralized in administration and operation. Dating from 1774 when the Commission for National Education first issued regulations for schools and libraries, there has been continuous legislative interest in libraries except for the Tsarist repression of 1820-1918. An enabling decree for library legislation in 1946 was followed in 1960 by a library act formulating organizational principles of contemporary library science and establishing a national library network of scientific, professional, school, academic and public libraries. The act fixes organizational responsibilities, avoiding detailed operative procedures, while establishing primary goals for the national network and individual libraries. It allows library administrators and librarians freedom to set local objectives and establish procedures most applicable to local conditions. A State Library Council assists the directive body, The Ministry of Culture and Art; by evaluating library practices and conditions and recommending appropriate library legislation. The Association of Polish Librarians is a professional body which conducts lectures and meetings, as well as publishing scholarly works, periodicals, and journal articles to support the goals of the Library Act. (RAA)