Bureau of Library Development (BLD) FAQs

Can more than one municipality submit the application?

No, the application must be submitted by one municipal entity who is in the service area of the project library. In cases where a council of governments or other joint municipal organization sponsors a public library, and approves submission of an application, that organization must designate one municipality to serve as applicant.
Last Updated: Apr 23, 2025 |
Topics:
- Eligibility for Keystone Grants
|
Views: 0
Does the municipality where the library is physically located need to submit the application?
Last Updated: Apr 17, 2025 |
Topics:
- Eligibility for Keystone Grants
- Keystone Park and Recreation Fund Grants for Public Library Facilities
|
Views: 1
Can a library apply for a Keystone grant?
Last Updated: Apr 17, 2025 |
Topics:
- Grants
- Keystone Park and Recreation Fund Grants for Public Library Facilities
|
Views: 1
Does mandated reporter training count toward director/staff CE requirements?

Does mandated reporter training count toward director/staff CE requirements?
Last Updated: Mar 13, 2025 |
Topics:
- Annual Report (AR) / Public Library Survey (PLS)
|
Views: 16
Can ILL postage be reported as a collection expense?
Last Updated: Feb 27, 2025 |
Topics:
- Annual Report (AR) / Public Library Survey (PLS)
|
Views: 15
How do I find my library's AUN number?

How do I find my library's AUN number?
Last Updated: Feb 27, 2025 |
Topics:
- Grants
- State Aid
|
Views: 11
Can we simply state "this number is correct" or another generic response for the external public annotations?

Can we simply state "this number is correct" or another generic response for the external public annotations?
Last Updated: Feb 24, 2025 |
Topics:
- Annual Report (AR) / Public Library Survey (PLS)
|
Views: 32
For Excellent and Equitable Youth Services grant, are we required to submit all these policies: Cash Management, Bid and Procurement, Conflict and Interest, and Travel?
Last Updated: Feb 18, 2025 |
Topics:
- Grants
- Library Services & Technology Act (LSTA)
|
Views: 6
For Excellent and Equitable Youth Services grant, what does “Community of Practice” refer to on the application?
Last Updated: Feb 18, 2025 |
Topics:
- Grants
- Library Services & Technology Act (LSTA)
|
Views: 6
For the Excellent and Equitable Youth Services grant, are purchases using grant funds eligible for annual collection expenditure requirements according to the Statute?
Last Updated: Feb 18, 2025 |
Topics:
- Grants
- Library Services & Technology Act (LSTA)
|
Views: 4

For the Verification of Actual Costs and the Verification of Estimated Costs, does the seal need to be visible in the scanned pdf?
Last Updated: Sep 03, 2024 |
Topics:
- Annual Report (AR) / Public Library Survey (PLS)
|
Views: 61
Does a library need a full-time employee?
Last Updated: Jun 20, 2024 |
Topics:
- State Aid Library Subsidy Application (SALSA)
|
Views: 52
Does the Square Footage encompass staff areas, or only areas open to the public? (Eg. should a basement used solely for storage be counted?)
Last Updated: Sep 03, 2024 |
Topics:
- Annual Report (AR) / Public Library Survey (PLS)
|
Views: 32
Can shipping costs be counted towards the 12% collection expenditure?

One of my libraries will be paying more in shipping of materials this year (formerly free.) They want to know if shipping counts toward their 12% Collections spending or needs to be tracked separately.
Last Updated: Sep 03, 2024 |
Topics:
|
Views: 32
Can we simply state "this number is correct" or another generic response for the external public annotations?

Can we simply state "this number is correct" or another generic response for the external public annotations?
Last Updated: Feb 24, 2025 |
Topics:
- Annual Report (AR) / Public Library Survey (PLS)
|
Views: 32
What resources are available to help complete the 2024 Annual Report?

What resources are available to help complete the 2024 Annual Report?
Last Updated: Jan 30, 2025 |
Topics:
- Annual Report (AR) / Public Library Survey (PLS)
|
Views: 28
Annual Open Hours - Should holidays be removed from the total hours open?

Yes.
Last Updated: Jan 30, 2025 |
Topics:
- Annual Report (AR) / Public Library Survey (PLS)
|
Views: 27
What is a branch?
Last Updated: Jan 18, 2024 |
Topics:
- Service Area Change / Mergers - Branches & Members
|
Views: 27
How do we fix information that was incorrectly reported on a previous annual report?
Last Updated: Sep 03, 2024 |
Topics:
- Annual Report (AR) / Public Library Survey (PLS)
- State Aid Library Subsidy Application (SALSA)
|
Views: 26
Entity type - owned by a school district - is that a department of government?
Last Updated: Sep 03, 2024 |
Topics:
- Annual Report (AR) / Public Library Survey (PLS)
|
Views: 25

A resource for general information and frequently asked questions revolving around Pennsylvania's Annual Report (Public Library Survey).

Bureau of Library Development (BLD) General LibGuide

The LibGuide created to provide overarching content and information regarding work done or related to the Bureau of Library Development (BLD).

District Library Center Guide

A guide to assist district library centers and district library center consulting staff.

Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) LibGuide

This LibGuide provides comprehensive information about Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants, including how to apply, managing a grant and grant reporting.

Office of Commonwealth Library (OCL) 5-year Plan

This guide outlines the Office of Commonwealth Libraries Five Year Plan from 2023-2027.

Promising Practices for Youth Services in Pennsylvania's Public Libraries

This LibGuide contains information related to programming, onboarding, management, technology, and collection development for youth services.

State Aid Resources for Pennsylvania Public Libraries

The State Aid LibGuide that provides information related to the State Aid Library Subsidy Application (SALSA), Plans for State and County Coordination Aid, Audits and Financial Reviews, Librarian Certification, Annual Report, and Documentation Uploads into LibPAS.

StoryWalks® for Pennsylvania Libraries

An activity guide for public libraries to use for StoryWalk® programs for children and their families and caregivers.

Bureau of Library Development (BLD) FAQs

FAQ List

Announcements and Alerts