§9302. Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Advisory council." The Advisory Council on Library Development established in section 9312 (relating to advisory council).

"Basic standards." Standards promulgated by the State Librarian and approved by the advisory council which are essential and must be achieved by:

(1) A local library to qualify for State aid under sections 9334 (relating to quality libraries aid) and 9336 (relating to equal distribution grants).

(2) A branch library or a bookmobile to qualify for the State aid under section 9336.

"County library." Any local library or division of a local library which derives income from the commissioners of the county for the express purpose of making its resources and services available without charge to all county residents and bringing direct library service to those residents not served by other local libraries located within the same county. For the purposes of this chapter, a local library operating a distinct county library division shall be considered as two agencies, a local library and county library, which are merged or conjoined.

"Department." The Department of Education of the Commonwealth.

"Direct service area." The municipality to which the governing body of a library is responsible for extending all its library services without charge.

"Financial effort." The sum expended annually by a local library for the establishment, operation and maintenance of library services, which:

(1) Derives from local taxes, gifts, endowments and other local sources, as may be provided under rules and regulations adopted by the advisory council.

(2) Is used to determine eligibility for State aid.

"Financial effort equal to one-half mill." The financial effort equal to one-half mill times the market value of taxable property, as determined by the State Tax Equalization Board, in the municipalities for which aid is claimed or in the direct service area of a local library, whichever is applicable.

"Financial effort equal to one-quarter mill." The financial effort equal to one-quarter mill times the market value of taxable property, as determined by the State Tax Equalization Board, in the municipalities for which aid is claimed or in the direct service area of a local library, whichever is applicable.

"Internet." The international nonproprietary computer network of both Federal and non-Federal interoperable packet-switched data networks.

"Library system." A county-level or multicounty-level federation of at least two local libraries which:

(1) Serves at least 25,000 people.

(2) Has voluntarily agreed to participate in the federation.

(3) Has delegated the policymaking functions to a system board of directors.

"Local government support." Support from a municipality within a direct service area for the normal, recurring operating costs of a library or a library system serving that direct service area from appropriations, general purpose taxes, special library taxes or direct payment of any library expense. The term shall not include costs of shared services, in-kind costs or employment program costs.

"Local library." Any free, public, nonsectarian library, whether established and maintained by a municipality or by a private association, corporation or group, which serves the informational, educational and recreational needs of all the residents of the area for which its governing body is responsible, by providing free access to:

(1) An organized and currently useful collection of printed items and other materials, including free lending and reference services.

(2) The services of a staff trained to recognize and provide for these needs.

"Locality." Any city, borough, town, township or school district of the second, third or fourth class.

"Minimum standards." Standards promulgated by the State Librarian and approved by the advisory council which must be achieved by a local library or library system to qualify for aid under section 9335 (relating to incentive for excellence aid).

"Municipal officers." Any of the following:

(1) The mayor and council of a city.

(2) The mayor and council of a borough or town.

(3) The commissioners or supervisors of a township.

(4) The commissioners of a county.

(5) The board of school directors of a school district of the second, third or fourth class.

"Municipality." Any county or locality which establishes or maintains a local library.

"Per capita." Amounts per person residing in the direct service area of the local library or library system determined on the basis of the most recent official United States Census report for purposes of calculating payment under sections 9334 (relating to quality libraries aid), 9335 (relating to incentive for excellence aid), 9338 (relating to district library center aid) and 9340 (relating to equalization aid).

"Surplus financial effort." The financial effort which is in excess of $5 per capita for each person residing in the direct service area of the local library.