Pennsylvania Libraries

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Pennsylvania Libraries
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Introduction
Many people, offices and governing bodies are
involved in creating, maintaining and improving
library service in Pennsylvania.
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Libraries are good for the Commonwealth because
they

• Inform citizens
• Break down barriers
• Level the playing field
• Value the individual
• Nourish creativity
• Open kids minds

• Return high dividends
• Build communities
• Make families friendlier
• Offend everyone
• Offer sanctuary
• Preserve the past

George M. Eberhart, The Whole Library Handbook 3.
Chicago ALA, 2000, pp. 9-11
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Overview

• Governance six entities
• Four dimensions of library service
• Role of a trustee
• Additional resources

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Lesson Objective
By the end of this lesson you will be able to

• Describe how public libraries are organized
• Define the special role of trustees

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1. General Assembly

• Establishes legal framework
• Appropriates funds for state library
• Provides state aid

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2. Department of Education oversees
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3. The Office of Commonwealth Libraries
which includes

• Bureau of State Library
• Bureau of Library Development

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4. Bureau of State Library

• One of four statewide resource centers
• Provides collection for State government and
  citizen use
• Collects/preserves materials for, by and about PA

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5. Bureau of Library Development
BLD is responsible for

• Administering state aid and grants
• Planning, implementing initiatives
• Fostering leadership
• Planning and offering workshops and meetings
• Fostering library development
• Serving as a resource

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6. Governors Advisory Council on Library
Development

• 12 members
• Appointed by the Governor
• Four year terms
• Meets up to four times a year

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Four Dimensions of Library Service

• Statewide Resource Centers
• District Library Centers
• County library systems
• Local libraries

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Statewide Resource Centers
Their purpose is to

• Acquire major research collections
• Make their resources available

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Statewide Resource Centers

• Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
• Free Library of Philadelphia
• Pennsylvania State University Library
• The State Library in Harrisburg

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District Library Centers

• 29 District Library Centers
• District Consultant is hired as the liaison with
  the Office of Commonwealth Libraries
• They are strong local libraries
• Assist other local libraries in district
• Work with BLD advisor

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District Library Centers
Consultants help local libraries with

• Long range planning
• Professional development
• Program, staffing and funding issues
• Interpreting information from the State

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County Library Systems

• Group of libraries within a county
• Improve services for all county users
• Work jointly to increase financial support
• Plan and evaluate services
• Share resources
• Conduct staff and trustee training

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Local Libraries

• Provide services most needed and requested
• Reference, childrens activities, programs for
  seniors
• Basic collections
• Vary in quality and quantity
• Depend on community size and money invested

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Local Libraries Whos in Charge?
Municipal officials may

• Levy a special tax
• Provide other municipal revenues
• Issue bonds for construction
• Place referendums on the ballot
• Place questions on the ballot

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Special Role of Library Trustees
Trustees are responsible for

• Maintaining a free, public nonsectarian library
• The well-being of the library
• Focusing on whats best for the community

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Special Role of Library Trustees
Trustees do or have

• Legal authority over policies, rules, regulations
• Reasonable control of funds
• Oversee planning, fundraising, liability
• Evaluate the librarys performance
• Hire and evaluate the director

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Special Role of Library Trustees

• Prosecute for theft or damage
• Contract for cooperative services
• Establish fee structures for non-residents
• Acquire funds for construction, enhancements,
  renovations

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Elected Officials

• Appropriate funds
• Appoint members to board
• May hold property on behalf of library
• May purchase or lease lands and/or buildings

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Neither Elected Officials, Nor Trustees

• Manage the day-to-day business
• Hire, fire or evaluate library personnel (except
  director)
• Receive preferential treatment

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Good Trustees Do

• Participate in orientation
• Attend meetings regularly
• Devote time and attention
• Share skills on committees
• Understand community needs
• Stay current on library trends/issues

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Good Trustees Do

• Exercise discretion
• Respect confidentiality
• Bring serious issues to the director
• Put personal agendas aside
• Actively support board decisions
• Advocate with elected officials

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Good Trustees Do

• Avoid conflicts of interest
• Understand their role
• Understand and respect the role of the director
• Have an open mind
• Respect diversity
• Advocate for equitable pay

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Good Trustees Do

• Work cooperatively
• Focus on a secure future
• Consider new ideas
• Cultivate connections
• Actively support fundraising
• Raise library visibility, improve services

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The Best Trustees

• Applaud the librarys successes
• Respect the librarys role in the community
• Attend social and other functions in the library
• Offer expertise to the director
• Are avid library users!

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Politics Not!

• Trustees have no partisan politics
• Serve the best interests of the library
• Separate decision making from politics, except
• as they influence librarys prospects

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Take the Good Library test in the toolkit!
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When in doubt, check

• The Library Code
• The PA Trustee Handbook
• Both are part of your board notebook.

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Resources

• Pennsylvania Library Association
• www.palibraries.org
• Commonwealth Libraries
• www.statelibrary.state.pa.us
• A list of recommended books is in your toolkit

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REVIEW

• Six entities govern PA libraries
• Responsibilities of trustees
• Role of local elected officials
• What makes a good library
• Where to get more information