What is the Statewide Library Card Program?
Formerly known as the Access PA Program, The Statewide Library Card (SLC) Program’s purpose is to increase the availability of library materials for Pennsylvanians by allowing eligible residents to register for a free library card at any participating public library.
This symbol (sticker or directly printed) signifies if a card holder is eligible.
The program is not intended to adversely affect the level of service provided by the home library for its own residents. Likewise, the program is not intended to reduce any library’s level of service by placing undue reliance on the services of nearby libraries.
Participation in the Statewide Library Card program is a requirement of receiving state aid. Refer to the Governor’s Advisory Council’s Guidelines for the Statewide Library Card System for full details. For more questions not covered here, visit the state’s FAQ page.
Can I give a sticker or preprinted library card to a patron who has to pay a fee to use my library?
No. If you choose to have the logo preprinted on your library cards, you must maintain a supply of cards without the logo to give to patrons who pay for a card.
What do I have to give SLC patrons?
According to the Guidelines: State-aided local libraries must provide eligible participants with a free library card, provide the same on-site services and materials as received by local residents, offer reserves of library materials, and send all payments from patrons for lost/damaged materials to the owning library.
Optional library services include: ILL service for items not owned by the library or its affiliated library system, access to e-resources that are subject to contractual agreement limitations, accept returns of library materials owned by other participating libraries, or allow returns of their own materials to other participating libraries.
How can I figure out someone’s municipality?
Find Municipality by Address: https://munstats.pa.gov/Public/FindMunicipality.aspx
Which municipalities do not participate in the program?
Municipalities Not Supporting Public Library Service This list highlights the PA municipalities that, as of the end of the calendar year, did not support a state-aided public library. Residents of these municipalities are not eligible to participate in the Statewide Library Card Program and can be charged a fee to receive a library card and/or library services. Residents can register for a free POWER Library eCard to use state e-resources.
How is home library defined in the SLC Guidelines?
A home library is defined as the local library, library system, or county library that is legally responsible for providing library service to its residents. It is determined by the residency of the patron and what the official service area.
Often when libraries share an integrated library system, they will use the term ‘home library’ to designate an individual’s preferred library within the libraries that share the integrated library system. This is not the way in which the term ‘home library’ is used in this program. A home library in the Statewide Library Card Program is defined as the library that is legally responsible for providing library service to its residents.
Why can’t I give a free library card to anyone at any time?
- Your contracts may forbid it. E-Resources often price based on your service area, so serving people outside of your area may be a violation of the terms. Your funders may also take issue with it – if Municipality A gets free service why should Municipality B keep paying?
- Your community may not appreciate outsiders freely using their library and impacting what resources and services are offered. Additionally, there is often a heightened risk of lost materials when they are borrowed from people outside of your community, and it may be more difficult to take legal action.
- Libraries aren’t islands – what you do does affect other libraries. Many factors impact library budgets, and while you may be willing to take on the responsibilities locally, you may also be bringing extra responsibilities to another library that cannot take on that burden. You may also be violating
For example: Township A does not fund any library. Neighboring libraries B and C both offer paid cards, but Library B offers them for $10 and Library C offers them for $50. Library B gives paid cards the AccessPA stickers. Patrons get a card from Library B and then solely use Library C’s resources. This leaves Library C with extensive budget problems, as they are serving more than their share.
Last updated September 2023
This information is provided to the best of our knowledge as of the date provided. Information is subject to change without notice. While authoritative, it is not guaranteed for accuracy or legalities. If there are questions, please reach out to your district consultant, who may encourage your library to ask a local solicitor/lawyer for further guidance.