Standards for Philippine Public Libraries

Operation and Management

In the Philippines, public library service is discharged jointly by respective local
government units (LGUs) under the technical supervision of The National Library.
Most public libraries at present are under the legislative branch of the local government, the
Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Panlungsod, or Bayan, as the case may be. As local government
entities, they shall have, as their immediate superior, the local chief executive or any legally
designated local official in accordance with RA 7160 (Local Government Code).
To monitor affiliated public libraries, the Public Libraries Division of The National Library
requires them to submit a monthly report of activities and accomplishments. Also expected
from them are annual inventory report of collections and annual report of activities. These are
required because of the Property Accountability set by the government.
A clear policy must be formulated defining objectives, priorities, and services in relation
to the local community needs. The public library has to be organized effectively and
professional standards of operation must be maintained.

According to the Minimum Standards for Public Libraries, public library services in the
Philippines are aimed to
 provide library and information service responsive to the need of the community
 build within each library an information center about the library’s respective
community – its resources, history, customs, traditions, etc.
 develop a national network and linkage among public libraries with The National
Library as the center in order to facilitate research and reference needs of patrons.

Cooperation with relevant partners – for example user groups and other professionals at local,
regional, national, as well as international – has to be ensured.

Personnel and Compensation

Public libraries must be managed by professionally trained, competent, and licensed
librarians. They must be supported by competent support services staff. Sufficient number of
personnel must be hired to attain quality service.
Majority of provincial and city librarians are licensed librarians. Most provincial and city
librarians are given a salary grade of 22 although a few in the ranks of Librarian I have a salary
grade of 10.
The size of staff in a public library depends on the population served and the size of the
collection. For every increase of 50,000 people, a corresponding addition of one professional
and one support staff is suggested.
Regional, congressional district, provincial and city libraries must have at least four (4)
professional librarians and three (3) members of the support services staff, (excluding those
holding non-classified positions like utility workers, etc.). Public libraries of first class
municipalities must employ two (2) professional librarians and adequate support/non-
professional staff as needed; while lower class municipalities including barangay reading
centers, there should be at least one (1) full time library staff and if the fund allows, two (2)
support personnel that includes one (1) clerk and one (1) utility worker.
Librarians should be appointed to any of the following position titles, with
corresponding salary grades (SG) in the plantilla of positions provided for civil service servants
in the local government units, depending on their qualifications and educational attainment
and in accordance with the Salary Standardization Scheme for Government Workers.
 Librarian I – SG 10
 Librarian II – SG 14
 Librarian III – SG 18
 Librarian IV – SG 22
 Librarian V – SG 24
The National Library is also responsible in training public librarians.

Budget and Finance

In principle, the library shall be free of charge. The public library must be provided with
adequate and reasonable budgetary appropriations to carry out effectively its plans and
programs. Aside from national government support, the local government units also provide for
budget for library purchases.
Budget in public libraries shall cover the following items:
 personal services – to include salaries and wages and other common benefits
common and due to all civil service servants
 maintenance and other operating expenses – to include among others funds for
travel expenses, attendance to seminars, trainings, conferences, etc.; and also
subscription to publications like serials, newspapers, and periodicals.
 capital outlay – to include funds to purchase library equipment, information
technology equipment and materials, furniture, and books
The library budget shall be adjusted annually to make it relevant with the time.

Collection
Collection development in public libraries, which is mainly selection and acquisition of
books and other library materials, is rested on the librarian with the assistance of professional
staff. The clientele can also recommend materials that can be considered. The collection must
reflect the library’s objectives and the needs of the community served. The collection must
include books, ephemeral materials, non-print material in various formats like electronic
databases and computer software application, audiovisual materials and the like, and non-book
materials like periodicals, maps, pamphlets, etc. It is also their responsibility to have collection
of materials on local history.
Regardless of population, a minimum of 3,000 volumes of books is deemed as initial
collection for public libraries in the regions, provinces, cities, and first class municipalities. For
public libraries in lower class municipalities, an initial collection of 2,000 volumes is
recommended while 500 in barangay reading centers. In any public library, a provision of at
least 10% increase in the collection must be regarded.
 Aside from books and other library materials allocated by The National Library,
collections in public libraries also come from their local government units.

Physical Facilities
Public libraries must be centrally located within the community they serve. The library
must be accessible to all users by all means of transportation. The library building must provide
access to physically disabled individuals. They must have provisions for future growth and
expansion. The library must be a component of an integrated cultural complex in the
development plan of the local government unit.
The size of any public library building must consider the following:
 community population
 growing library collection
 size of staff
 services to be offered
Public libraries must provide adequate space for reading areas, stack areas, work rooms,
multimedia rooms, storage rooms, staff lounges, toilets for the library staff and the public, and
for other facilities. A minimum seating capacity of 48-60 people at any one time is
recommended for regional, congressional district, provincial, city, and first class municipality
libraries; at least 36-48 for lower class municipalities; and 12-24 for barangay reading centers.

Library Services
Library services must be provided with the highest degree of efficiency and integrity,
keeping in mind that the public library is a service agency of the government. The library must
reflect and answer the information needs of the community. Library hours must be for the
maximum benefit of the community it serves.
The library’s collection must be classified and cataloged and must be organized
according to internationally accepted standards for easy access and retrieval. Open shelves
system must be promoted to give users free access to library materials.
The library should provide materials for the wholesome development of the community
regardless of age, creed, religion, and cultural affiliations.
Materials on local history and culture must be maintained, preserved, and conserved. Public
libraries may consider the following services to promote the library to the general public:
 reference and research services
 circulation of books for home use
 organization and maintenance of a children’s section
 reading guidance for children and out-of-school youth
 outreach programs and services especially to depressed areas of the community
 organization of Friends’ Group to act as a support to the library
Activities like storytelling and book talks for children, book discussions, exhibits, poetry reading
and interpretation, plays, demonstrations, shows, and many others can also be organized in
public libraries.
Reports and Inventory
An annual inventory of the whole collection is required in order to determine losses and
the quality and serviceability of the library collection. Annual narratives and statistical; reports
must be prepared for comparative studies and evaluation of the library’s programs and
activities. The library should also render monthly statistical and narrative reports to determine
monthly activities and accomplishments. A local monitoring system of library operations and
procedures must be developed to assess and evaluate from time to time the library’s efficiency
and efficacy as a front line service agency of the government.
Public libraries are requiring to submit reports of inventory to proper governing
authorities such as The national Library.

Networks
To ensure nationwide library coordination and cooperation, legislation and strategic
plans must also be defined and promote. A library network must be promoted based on agreed
standard of service. The public library network must be designed in relation to national,
regional, research, and special libraries as well as libraries in schools, colleges, and universities.
In order to efficiently maximize the services of public libraries to their clientele, public
libraries are encouraged to organize the Friends Group. This is an organization of volunteer
workers in the community whose activities and projects supplement and augment the library’s
activities. They also raise funds for the public library. Membership comes from retired
professionals and also from other community members who love to assist in library work
including those from civic organizations.
The library may as well initiate the organization of groups or volunteers to handle fund
raising to financially support the library and handle activities in line with library programs and
services.