§ 141.27. Basic standards for branch libraries.
(a) A branch library is a unit with separate quarters, a permanent basic collection of books, a permanent staff, and a regular schedule administered from a central library unit.
(b) The central library unit of a local library or library system is the principal resource library or administrative center.
(c) For a plan to be approved for the use of an equal distribution grant which is awarded to a local library or a library system for a branch library the following requirements shall be met:
(1) The local library or library system shall qualify for basic aid as specified in section 303(1) of The Library Code (24 P.S. 4303(1)).
(2) Service shall be provided as follows:
(i) The branch library shall be open for service at least 20 hours per week during those hours which are best suited to the needs of the residents of its service area.
(ii) Ready reference service shall be available at all times the branch is open.
(iii) The staff of the branch library shall be ready and willing to communicate with the headquarters library or district library center, whichever is most appropriate, for reference assistance and interlibrary loans.
(iv) The branch shall have a telephone which is listed in the local directory.
(v) The branch shall have a sign which clearly identifies it, from the outside, as a public library.
(3) Library materials shall be provided as follows:
(i) The branch library shall maintain a collection of not less than 4,000 items on its premises and shall annually offer a selection of not less than 6,000 different titles which are current and are demonstrably useful to the residents of its service area. The items shall be organized by subject and recorded in a manner which makes them easily accessible to the public.
(ii) The local library or the system shall budget and expend annually for the purchase of library materials for each qualifying branch library twice the amount of the equal distribution grant allotment for that branch. For example, if the equal distribution grant is $900, then the expenditure for library materials for the branch in the year of the grant shall be not less than $1,800.
(iii) The collection shall be selected to serve the informational, educational, and recreational needs of all residents in its service area.
(iv) The branch library shall have a collection of ready reference items of sufficient scope to meet the needs of the residents of its service area.
(v) The branch library shall subscribe to and make available for use at least 10 different periodicals which are indexed in the Readers Guide to Periodical Literature or other recognized periodical indices.
(4) Personnel policies shall be as follows:
(i) The branch library shall be in the charge of a person who has been trained to recognize and provide for the informational, educational and recreational needs of the residents of the library’s service area. The training may be provided by the administrator of the local library or library system of which the branch library is a part or by the staff of the district library center.
(ii) The person in charge shall work on the premises of the branch library not less than 20 hours weekly during hours when the library is open for service to the public.
(Editor’s Note: The Library Code (24 P.S. § § 4101—4503) was repealed by the act of November 1, 2012 (P.L. 1683, No. 210) and replaced by 24 Pa.C.S. Chapter 93 (relating to Public Library Code).)
Source The provisions of this § 141.27 adopted May 22, 1981, effective May 23, 1981, 11 Pa.B. 1800.
Cross References This section cited in 22 Pa. Code § 141.28 (relating to basic standards for bookmobiles).
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