1. MINIMUM
STANDARDS FOR
PHILIPPINE PUBLIC
LIBRARIES

3. • Formulation of public library standards
reflects the fresh concept of public library
service and organizational goals to stimulate
new developments and focus attention in the
field.
• Standards are used as guide when
implementing goals for development and
setting directions for the future.

4. • The foregoing minimum standards shall
serve as guide to people who are tasked to
organize, develop and maintain/sustain
public libraries and their services.

5. 1. To provide library and information
service responsive to the needs of the
community.
2. To build within each library an
information center about its
respective community.

7. 3. To develop nationally, a network
and linkages among public
libraries with The National Library
as the center in order to facilitate
research and reference needs
patrons.

9. 1. Each public library shall operate
under the administrative
supervision of the local
government unit and under the
technical supervision of The
National Library.
2. A public library shall be managed
by a professionally trained,
competent and licensed librarian.

10. 3. The public library as a local government
entity shall have, as its immediate superior,
the local chief executive or any legally
designated local official in accordance with
the local official in accordance with The
Local Government Code.

12. 1. The public library shall be manned by
qualified or professionally trained
librarians and shall be supported by
competent support services staff.
2. Sufficient number of personnel shall be
hired to attain quality service.

13. 3. The size of staff in a public library shall
depend on the population served and the
size of the collection.
A. Regional, congressional district, provincial and city
libraries shall have at least four professional
librarians; three support services staff excluding those
holding non-classified positions like utility workers,
etc.

14. Public libraries of first class municipalities shall
have at least two professional librarians and
adequate support/ non-professional staff as
needed and for lower class municipalities
including barangay reading centers, there
should be at least one full time library staff;
and, if fund allows, one clerk and one utility
worker.
B. The increase in the number of library staff
depends on the increase of population of the
community served.

15. C. Librarians shall be appointed to any of the
following position titles depending on their
qualifications and educational attainment:
1. Librarian ISG 10
2. Librarian II SG 14
3. Librarian III SG 18
4. Librarian IV SG 22
5. Librarian V SG 24
6. Other designated titles

16. D. Support Services Staff
a. Technical staff shall possess a
diploma/certificate of at least two-year
computer education or its equivalent and
with the required civil service eligibility.
b. Clerical staff shall have finished
special studies in Secretarial Science or its
equivalent and with the required civil
service eligibility.
c. Library aides should have at least
finished two years of college education or
have had at least two years library work
experience.

17. E. Other Staff
A library should have, depending on its
size and availability of funds, the following
personnel:
Maintenance personnel
 library equipment operator for the
photocopying machine; microfilm
reader/printer; over head projector;
 bindery personnel; and,
 messengerial/laiason personnel.
 utility worker

19. 1. The public library shall be provided with
adequate and reasonable budgetary
appropriations to carry out effectively its
plans and programs.
2. The library equipment shall cover the
following items:
a. Personal services
b. Maintenance ant
other operating
expenses
c. Capital Outlay

20. 3. The library budget shall be adjusted
annually to make it relevant with the
time.

21. The collection must reflect the objectives of the
library and the needs of the community served.

22. 1. The collection shall include books, multi-media and
other non-book materials such as those in the state-
of-the-art technologies, periodicals, maps,
pamphlets, and other audio visual materials.

23. 2. The library shall maintain the local
history collection.
3. The size of the library collection is
dependent on the allocation from The
National Library and from the
budget/funds provide by the local gov’t
unit in the annual appropriations.

24. 4. A minimum or initial collection of 3k
volumes of books is deemed appropriate for
the public libraries in the regions, provinces,
cities, and first class municipalities
regardless of their population.
5. For libraries in municipalities lower than the
first class, an initial book collection of 2,ooo
volumes is recommended while the for
barangay reading centers. 500 volumes is
recommended.

25. 6. Selection and acquisition of books and
other library materials shall rest on the
librarian with the assistance of her
professional staff. Materials for
acquisition recommendations by the
library clientel shall be considered,
7. A provision for at least 10% annual
increase of the collection must be
provided each of any public library
category.

27. Building
1. Site
a. The library shall be centrally located
within the community. It shall have
provision for expansion for future
growth;
b. The library shall be accessible to all
library users by all means of
transportation;

28. c. In the development plan of the local
government unit, the library shall
be a component of an integrated
cultural complex;
d. The building shall provide
access to physically disabled
individuals.

29. 2. Size
a. Size of the public library shall consider
the following; community population; the
growing library collection; size of library
staff and services to be rendered.
b. Each library shall provide adequate
space for reading areas; stack area; work
room; multimedia room; storage room;
staff lounge; toilets for the library staff and
for the public; and space for the other
facilities.

30. c. Provision shall be made for a minimum seating
capacity of 48-60 people at any one time for regional ,
provincial, city, and first class municipal libraries
and at least 12-24 for barangay reading centers.
d. Equipment and furniture shall be adequate to
generate an environment conducive for the
pleasant and effective use of the materials and
services.
e. furniture shall be functional and in harmony with
the architecture of the building.

31. f. Equipment shall be selected properly in
such away that they will help in the efficient
operation of the library to keep abreast withthe
time.
g. Layout of equipment and furniture shall
allow the smooth mobility of readers and
materials.

33. 1. Library services shall be provided
with the highest degree of efficiency
and integrity.
2. The library shall reflect and answer
the library and information needs of
community.

34. 3. Open shelves system shall be
promoted to give users the free access
to all materials.
4. The library shall provide materials for
the wholesome development of the
community regardless of age, creed,
religion, and cultural affiliation.

35. 5. The library shall organize and maintain
local historical and cultural materials for
preservation and conservation.
6. The library shall observe library hours for
the maximum benefit of the community.
7. The library shall initiate the organization of
groups or volunteers to handle fund raising to
financially support the library and handle
activities.

36. 8. For library promotion activities, the
following services shall be
encouraged:
 Reference and research services
 Circulation of books for home use
 Organization and maintenance of a
children’s section
 Reading guidance for choildren and out-
of-school youth