Continuing Education (CE) is an important component of the regulations for public library staff.
As required by the Public Library Code, the director of all local libraries that receive Quality Libraries Aid shall attend at least 8 hours of continuing education each year (Title 24 PA. C.S.A. § 9334 (c)(5)), and to receive Incentive for Excellence Aid, all staff working 20 hours must attend at least 6 hours of continuing education every two years (Title 24 PA. C.S.A. § 9335 (b)(4)).
Director’s Certificates for CE should be saved; they must submit a record of hours in the Annual Report.
The Governor's Advisory Council on Library Development has issued Guidelines for Continuing Education for Public Library Staff that explain the parameters that must be met for CE to qualify.
Act 48 of 1999 requires all Pennsylvania educators holding Pennsylvania public school certification (including Instructional I and II, Educational Specialist I and II, Administrative, Supervisory, Letters of Eligibility, and all vocational certificates) to participate in ongoing professional education.
Visit the Professional Education Record Management System (PERMS) to find/review:
Act 48 credit hours can occasionally be offered as part of an Office of Commonwealth Libraries or OCL partner sponsored webinar. If offered, you will be asked to fill out a form to receive those hours.
If you would like to receive or distribute continuing education hours for a training hosted outside of those offered by the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, please fill out the form below.
You will need to explain how the program you will attend or are hosting meets the Governor's Advisory Council's Guidelines for Continuing Education.