THE DIRECTORATE OF BOOKS AND READING
Missions
Under the authority of a Director, the Directorate of Books and Reading is responsible for:
 – developing and implementing the Government’s policy on the development of the book and reading sectors;
– regulating, monitoring, and controlling activities related to the creation, publishing, dissemination, and distribution of books, and the establishment, equipping, and operation of book and reading sector facilities;
– supporting the production, dissemination, and distribution of books;
– developing and coordinating the national network of public libraries and reading centers;
– monitoring the application of legislation on legal deposit;
– monitoring issues related to the operation and equipment of libraries;
– conducting studies and research on reading and the book industry;
– promoting the professions of librarians, information specialists, publishers, and booksellers;
– Consolidation of national integration through reading programs and activities;
– Monitoring and promotion of training, development and integration in book and reading professions;
– Monitoring of the activities of the national library and the libraries of decentralized territorial authorities;
– Development of the map of publishing houses, bookstores and libraries;
– Coordination of relations between public administrations and professional associations and partners in the book and reading sectors.

It comprises:
 – the Sub-Directorate for the Economics of Books;
– the Sub-Directorate for the Development of Reading and Libraries. Section I:
The Sub-Directorate for the Economics of Books Article 49.- (1) Under the authority of a Sub-Director, the Sub-Directorate for
the Economics of Books is responsible for: – monitoring all matters relating to literary creation, production, dissemination, distribution and promotion of books;
– organizing book fairs and exhibitions;
– supporting studies and research on reading and the economics of books;
– promoting Cameroonian books;
– advising on and monitoring the book industry; – studying issues relating to the dissemination and distribution of books;
– collecting the statistical data necessary for evaluating the book sector;
– developing bookstores and other book distribution points in decentralized local authorities.

It comprises:
 – the Literary Creation Service;
– the Consulting and Publishing Service. Article 50.- Under the authority of a Head of Service, the
Literary Creation Service is responsible for: – promoting quality national literary creation;
– developing various activities and events designed to stimulate creativity, including writing workshops, training, cataloging and promoting award-winning works, organizing literary prizes, promotional campaigns, and book signings;
– promoting Cameroonian works and authors at the national and international levels;
– encouraging and promoting literary production in national languages. Article 51.- Under the authority of a Head of Service, the Consulting and
Publishing Service is responsible for: – monitoring all matters relating to the book production sector;
– designing and implementing a policy to support book publishing and distribution;
– Technical and administrative assistance to actors in the commercial book sector;
– Organization of sectoral meetings and reflection days;
– Organization of book fairs and exhibitions;
– Conducting studies and collecting statistical data on book production and the market;
 – Monitoring the activities of the collective management body for authors’ and related rights, operating in the field of books.

The Sub-Directorate for the Development of Reading and Libraries

Under the authority of a Deputy Director, the Sub-Directorate for the
Development of Reading and Libraries is responsible for: – encouraging reading;
– implementing policies for the development and modernization of libraries;
– coordinating government action to establish and manage a national public reading network;
– combating illiteracy and exclusion through specific actions for target and disadvantaged groups;
– providing expertise and advice for the construction, development, and computerization of public reading facilities;
– collecting the statistical data necessary for evaluating book and reading development policies;
– promoting books and reading, and more generally access to information, through all appropriate media.

It comprises:
 – the Public Reading Development Service;
– the Library Service. Article 53.- Under the authority of a Head of Service, the
Public Reading Development Service is responsible for: – coordinating the national public reading network;
– coordinating government action to establish and manage a national public reading network;
– promoting reading; – combating illiteracy and exclusion through specific actions for target and disadvantaged groups;
– providing expertise and advice for the construction, development, and computerization of public reading facilities;
– promoting books and reading, and more generally, access to information, through all appropriate media;
– implementing specific programs and activities aimed at promoting mother tongues and national languages;
– participating in the collection of statistical data necessary for the development of books and reading.

Under the authority of a Head of Service, the Library Service
is responsible for: – coordinating the establishment of a national library network, including at the level of decentralized local authorities;
– modernizing equipment and integrating information and communication technologies in the libraries of the national reading network;
– providing expertise and advice for the construction and development of libraries;
– enriching library collections, accompanied by a program for preserving the collections;
– collecting statistical data for the purpose of evaluating library promotion policies;
– managing the reference library of the Public Reading Center;
– participating in the development of training standards for auxiliary staff in libraries and other book sectors, in conjunction with the relevant administrations.