Bill Text: PA SR343 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Directing the Joint State Government Commission to study and review The Library Code for modernization.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 19-10)

Status: (Passed) 2010-06-22 - Adopted [SR343 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-SR343-Amended.html

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PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 1981 PRINTER'S NO. 2041
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 343 Session of2010
INTRODUCED BY PILEGGI, PICCOLA, ERICKSON, ARGALL, FONTANA, WOZNIAK, BAKER, MUSTO, BRUBAKER, LOGAN, RAFFERTY, M. WHITE, PIPPY, O'PAKE, SMUCKER, WASHINGTON, ALLOWAY, FARNESE, GREENLEAF, WARD, KASUNIC, VANCE, DINNIMAN, D. WHITE, EARLL, MENSCH AND EICHELBERGER, MAY 13, 2010
SENATOR PICCOLA, EDUCATION, AS AMENDED, JUNE 8, 2010
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to study and
review The Library Code for modernization.
WHEREAS, Public libraries provide information needed to live,
learn and work in the 21st century; and
WHEREAS, Libraries provide a vital role in a community; and
WHEREAS, Libraries are places for opportunity, education,
self-help and lifelong learning; and
WHEREAS, Public use of libraries continues to grow; and
WHEREAS, The Library Code was enacted by the General Assembly
in 1961; and
WHEREAS, The Library Code was established to supplement and
stimulate local support of libraries; and
WHEREAS, The Library Code created a State system of local
libraries, district library centers and regional library
resource centers; and
WHEREAS, The Library Code provides funding to support this
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system and to stimulate local funding of public libraries; and
WHEREAS, The libraries of this Commonwealth are now governed
by the Bureau of Library Development in the Department of
Education; and
WHEREAS, The Bureau of Library Development includes the
Division of Library Improvement which works with public,
academic and institution libraries and library networks to
coordinate library service across this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania library system is a network of
libraries that are connected by Interlibrary Loan and many
different services, such as PA Power Library and Access
Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, This network of libraries and library systems is
governed under one funding process; and
WHEREAS, The Library Code has not been thoroughly reviewed
since its inception; and
WHEREAS, The Library Code, when it was enacted, was a model
for other states; and
WHEREAS, The Library Code is now considered antiquated in
today's changing library structures; and
WHEREAS, The Library Code should be modernized to reflect
changes that have occurred in the past 50 years; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate direct the Joint State Government
Commission to conduct a review of The Library Code and the
current library structure; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission study
the current funding structure for libraries, including the <--
funding models used by other states; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission provide
the Senate with its recommendations for changes and
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modernization of The Library Code; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission provide
the Senate with its recommendations for an organizational and
funding structure for the library system in this Commonwealth;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission report
its findings and recommendations to the Senate no later than
November 30, 2010.
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