Revised Standards for Philippine Public Libraries

Republic of the Philippines

Professional Regulation Commission

PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD FOR LIBRARIANS

Resolution No. 05

Series of 2015 

PRESCRIPTION, ADOPTION AND PROMULGATION OF THE "REVISED STANDARDS FOR PHILIPPINE PUBLIC LIBRARIES"

WHEREAS, Section 8 Article II of Republic Act No. 9246, the Philippine Librarianship Act of 2003, vests upon the Professional Regulatory Board for Librarians (Board) the power to promulgate and administer rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of the law, and to look into the conditions affecting the practice of librarianship, and when necessary, adopt such measures as may be deemed proper for the enhancement and maintenance of high ethical, moral and professional standards of librarianship; 

WHEREAS; Section 8 (f) of supra law mandates the Board to adopt policies and set the standards for all types of libraries, librarians and the practice of librarianship; 

WHEREAS, there is already a Code of Philippine Standards for Public Libraries that has been issued and promulgated in 2007 but which needs to be reviewed and updated to adapt to the ongoing local and international developments in the field; 

WHEREAS; to achieve this end, the Board invited the Director of the National Library of the Philippines to chair the Task Force on the revision of the 2007 Philippine Standards for Public Libraries; 

WHEREAS; the Task Force, as constituted, convened during the 1st Convention of Provincial Librarians and Salon on Resource Description and Access (RDA) on November 5-7, 2013 and during the Salon on National Development Plan for Public Libraries and Capacity Building of Public Librarians (Part II) on February 20-21, 2014; 

WHEREAS; the working drafts of the Task force were subjected to online comments from public librarians and presented for final public hearing on March 19-21, 2014 during the 1' International Conference of Public Librarians. The final draft of the "Revised Standards for Philippine Public Libraries" was favorably endorsed by the Filipino public librarians therein present for adoption and promulgation by the Board: 

NOW THEREFORE, The Board RESOLVES, as it hereby RESOLVED, to prescribe, adopt ad promulgate the 'Revised Standards for Philippine Public Libraries- which is hereto appended as Annex A of this Resolution. 

FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution as well as its Annex A shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following their complete publication in the Official Gazette of any newspaper of national circulation. 

Let copies of this Resolution, together with its "Annex A", be furnished the U.P. Law Center. Philippine Librarians Association, Inc. (PLAI), schools/colleges/universities offering library and information science courses for dissemination to all concerned users and stakeholders. 

Done in the City of Manila this 24th of July 2015 

YOLANDA C. GRANDA
Chairperson

AGNES F. MANLANGIT
Member

LOURDES T. DAVID
Member

Attested: 

ATTY. MARIA LIZA M. HERNANDEZ
OIC, Office of the Secretary to the Professional Regulatory Boards
Professional Regulatory Boards

APPROVED:

Florentino C. Doble
Chairman

ANGELINE T. CHUA CHIACO
Commissioner

YOLANDA D. REYES
Commissioner

ANNEX A 

REVISED STANDARDS FOR PHILIPPINE PUBLIC LIBRARIES

Area I. Mission, Vision, Goals and Objectives

The Mission, Vision and Goals shall contain the following: 

a. Philosophy of service; 

b. Service to the needs of the community; 

c. Organization and maintenance of services for children, young adults, persons with disabilities (PWD), senior citizens and other marginalized sectors; 

d. Organization of Friends Group to act as support for the library; 

e. Promotion of local history, culture and arts; 

f. Compliance with the mission, vision and goals of the National Library of the Philippines (NLP) and Local Government Unit (LGU); and 

g. Provision on library development. 

Area II. Library Administration 

A. Each library shall operate under the administrative supervision of the local government unit and the technical supervision of the NLP. 

B. The library shall be managed by a librarian and shall be supported by paraprofessional staff. 

C. The library shall have as its immediate supervisor, the local chief executive or any designated local official in accordance with existing laws. 

D. The number of staff shall depend on the classification of the local government unit. 

The following recommended number of library staff should be viewed as a minimum requirement for the provision of adequate library service. 

PROVINCE (Classes)

First

• 2 Fulltime Librarians
• 1 Provincial Librarian
• 1 Assistant Librarian
• 4 Paraprofessionals

Second

• 1 Provincial Librarian
• 3 Paraprofessionals

Third-Fifth

• 1 Fulltime Librarian

Sixth

• Not applicable

CITIES

First

• 2 Fulltime Librarians
• 1 City Librarian
• 1 Assistant Librarian
• 4 Paraprofessionals

Second

• 1 Provincial Librarian
• 3 Paraprofessionals

Third-Fifth

• 1 Fulltime Librarian

Sixth 

• Not applicable

MUNICIPALITIES

First

• 2 Fulltime Librarians
• 1 Municipal Librarian
• 1 Assistant Librarian
• 2 Paraprofessionals

Second

• 1 Municipal Librarian
• 2 Paraprofessionals

Third-Fifth

• 1 Fulltime Librarian

Sixth

• 1 Fulltime Librarian

E. Librarians, paraprofessionals, administrative/clerical staff shall be appointed to the plantilla positions pursuant to the Civil Service and Salary Standardization Laws 

AREA III. Collection Management 

A. The collection shall be based on the objectives of the library and the needs of the community served. 

B. The collection shall include materials in all formats and be organized according to existing standards. 

C. The library shall maintain collection on local history, culture and arts. 

D. The library shall have a written collection development plan. 

E. The LGU shall provide a reasonable annual budget for collection development. 

F. A minimum collection of three thousand (3000) volumes and provision of at least five percent (5%) annual increase of the collection is required. 

AREA IV. Services and Utilization 

A. The library shall provide basic services free of charge to everyone in its service population. 

B. The library shall provide services with the highest degree of efficiency and integrity. 

C. The library shall practice open-shelf system. 

D. The library shall have a website to promote its services and activities. 

E. The library shall provide resources for wholesome development of the community, without any discrimination. 

F. The library must have a children's corner, where children could obtain information through reading books, focused and unobstructed from other readers and researchers, etc., and where educational enhancement activities can be held. 

G. The library shall observe service hours for the maximum benefit of the community. 

H. The library shall have written policies covering all of the following: 

1. Use of facilities and display areas 
2. Rights and responsibilities of customers (Customer behavior) 
3. Children's use of the library 
4. Access to the Internet; and 
5. Access to facilities and materials by persons with disabilities 

V. Physical facilities 

A. The library must be located, preferably in a separate building and shall be accessible to all users. 

B. The library shall always be included as a component unit in the development plan of the LGU. 

C. The library shall provide spaces for the following: 

1. Librarian/s and staff 
2. Collection 
3. Reading 
4. Multimedia; and 
5. Other spaces as may be necessary 

D. Equipment and furniture shall be sufficiently provided for a conducive learning environment. 

E. The library shall have facilities for information technology and communication services. 

F. The library shall provide at least five (5) computer units with internet access. 

Area VI. Financial Resources 

A. The library shall be provided with adequate and reasonable budgetary appropriations to carry out effectively its plans and programs. 

B. The library budget shall cover the following items: 

1. Personal services to include salaries and wages and other benefits common and due to all civil service servants. 
2. Maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) to include, 1 among others, funds for travel expenses, attendance to seminars, trainings, conferences, and subscriptions. 
3. Capital outlay to include funds to purchase library resources, equipment and furniture. 

Area VII. Linkages, Networking and Collaboration 

A. Libraries shall engage in networking, resource sharing and other forms of partnership. 

B. The library shall organize Friends of the Library to support its activities. One staff member is appointed official friends' liaison to ensure that friends have all the information they need to carry out a program of support for the library. 

C. The library staff shall pursue continuing library education and membership to professional associations to further enhance learning. 

Chair: Atty. Antonio N. Santos, Director, National Library of the Philippines
Co-Chair: Rollingel P. Calilung, Angeles City Library and Information Center 

Members: 

Luzon: 

1. Matilde M. Nery, Provincial Librarian of Ilocos Norte 
2. Michael John M. Tolentino, Municipal Librarian of Concepcion, Tarlac 

NCR: 

1. Priscilla P. Robles, President, ALPS 
2. Emelita L. Villanueva, City Librarian of Quezon 
3. Vic Jayson C. Cruz, City Librarian of Marikina 

Visayas: 

1. Joyce P. Deloso, Provincial Librarian of Negros Occidental 
2. Rosario C. Chua, City Librarian of Cebu 
3. Ma. Vida C. Aparicio, Congressional Librarian of Bohol 

Mindanao: 

1. Rogelyn Serino, Library Staff of Misamis Occidental Provincial Library 
2. Jessica Clarito, City Librarian of Butuan City 
3. Rowena Tawaran, Library Staff of Davao City Library_and Information Center 

Date of publication in the Official Gazette: October 12, 2015
Date of Effectivity: October 28, 2015
Source: Philippine Public Libraries Facebook post dated April 14, 2016 [Link]