The Bureau of Library Development (BLD) in the Office of Commonwealth Libraries (OCL) supports libraries and library services for Pennsylvanians through the administration of state and federally funded programs and grant opportunities including LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act), Library Access, LAMP (Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians), the Public Library Subsidy, and Keystone Grants for Public Library Facilities. BLD also provides advisory services, professional development, and continuing education for library staff at public, school, academic, and special libraries.
Office of Commonwealth Libraries Five-Year Plan (2023-2027)
BLD administers the following State funding:
State Appropriations FY24-25
Public Library Subsidy (State Aid) - $70,470,000
LAMP (Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians) - $2,567,000
Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund
Keystone Grants for Public Library Facilities - $4,000,000 (annual average)
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) provides federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funding to Pennsylvania through its Grants to the States program.
BLD administers these funds to support the goals outlined in the IMLS-approved OCL five-year plan.
In addition to grant programs for statewide library services and local libraries, LSTA funding supports the work of BLD through professional library development advisors, projects, and continuing education and professional development opportunities. LSTA funds also support some of the work of the State Library including the rare books collection and digitization projects.
Nineteen currently filled positions including supervisory and administrative staff, 7 library development advisors, and 5 State Library staff in support of rare collections, digital collections, metadata, and genealogy.