In 1812 the creation of a public library was proposed for the encouragement of education and national culture. This was eventually to become the National Library of Chile. Its first Director, Manuel de Salas, was the author of the legal deposit law. For the first 100 years the library held the dual character of central collection library and public library. Gradually its public library functions were transferred to other bodies, under the administrative and technical control of the National Coordination of Public Libraries, which reports to the Director of the National Library. As it grew in importance and volume over the years, the library moved three times. The present building, begun in 1913, was completed in 1963, with some additional alterations in 1980 and 1981. The creation of the Office of Libraries, Archives and Museums in 1929 made possible an integrated policy for conserving, safeguarding and disseminating the national cultural heritage. The application of computer systems to bibliographic processes – notably the NOTIS system – has led to national network of bibliographic information (RENIB) that now includes academic and public libraries, the Library of Congress of Chile, and other documentation centres.