Statement of Policy
- Recognizes librarianship as essential for national development.
- Promotes honest, credible licensure and regulation.
- Ensures development of competent, virtuous, and globally competitive librarians.
Objectives
- National licensure examination and registration of librarians.
- Supervision and regulation of librarianship practice.
- Integration of librarians under one national organization.
- Development of professional competence.
Definitions
- Librarian: Holder of a Certificate of Registration and Professional ID Card issued by the Board and Commission.
- Commission: Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
- Board: Professional Regulatory Board for Librarians.
Scope of Librarianship Practice
- Selection and acquisition of information resources.
- Cataloguing/classification, creation of local databases.
- Development of computer-assisted information systems.
- Establishment of library systems and procedures.
- Dissemination, reference, research assistance, archiving.
- Teaching and reviewing LIS subjects, including licensure subjects.
- Technical work in abstracting, indexing, bibliographies.
- Planning and appraisal for library establishment and development.
- Professional consultancy services.
- Organization and preservation of historical/cultural documents.
Creation and Composition of the Board
- Board created under PRC supervision.
- Composed of Chairperson and two members.
- Members appointed by the President from nominees by the accredited librarians' org.
- Board to be constituted within 3 months from effectivity.
Qualifications of Board Members
- Natural-born Filipino citizen and resident.
- Good moral character.
- Licensed librarian with 10 years practice (5 in managerial role).
- Not faculty or financially interested in LIS education institutions.
- Not an incumbent officer of the professional org.
Powers, Functions, and Duties of the Board
- Exercise executive, administrative, rule-making, quasi-judicial powers.
- Promulgate rules implementing the Act.
- Administer oaths, issue certificates, suspend/revoke licenses.
- Ensure high ethical/professional standards.
- Set library standards and curricula in coordination with CHED.
- Adopt Code of Ethics and Technical Standards.
- Hear administrative cases and issue subpoenas.
- Prescribe guidelines for Continuing Professional Education.
- Prepare and amend licensure examination syllabi.
- Policies subject to PRC approval; decisions appealable only to PRC.
Terms, Compensation, and Removal of Board Members
- Term: 3 years; staggered initial terms.
- Possible reappointment but max 6 years total.
- Compensation comparable to existing regulatory boards.
- Removal/suspension by President upon PRC recommendation for neglect, misconduct, violation, or exam irregularities.
Executive Officer and Secretary
- PRC Chairperson acts as Executive Officer of the Board.
- Secretary designated by PRC; Secretariat to support Board functions.
- Board records kept with PRC Secretary.
Annual Report
- Board submits yearly report to PRC including accomplishments and issues.
Licensure Examination
- Written examinations required except when registration without exam applies.
- Administered by Board at PRC-designated places/times.
Qualifications for Licensure Applicants
- Good health and moral character.
- Bachelor’s degree in Library Science or Information Science.
- Master’s degree holders allowed.
- Transitional allowance for holders of related degrees within 5 years of effectivity.
Examination Scope
- Subjects: selection/acquisition, cataloguing/classification, indexing/abstracting, reference, bibliography, organization/management, laws/trends, and IT.
- Board may adjust subjects to evolving needs.
Passing Rate
- Weighted average 75% with no subject below 50%.
Examination Results
- Board reports results to PRC within 10 days.
Registration Without Examination
- Provided to practicing librarians meeting specific educational and experiential criteria on the Act's effectivity date.
- Application period: 3 years from effectivity.
Issuance of Certificate and ID Card
- Issued to successful examinees and qualified registrants without exam.
- Certificate bears signatures/seals and is valid until suspended/revoked.
- Professional ID Card issued with registration.
Oath of Profession
- Required for all registrants before practicing.
Grounds For Refusal of Registration
- Conviction for crimes involving moral turpitude.
- Immoral, dishonorable conduct.
- Unsound mind.
- Written reasons must be given.
Revocation and Suspension
- Grounds include unprofessional conduct, malpractice, incompetence, fraud, aiding illegal practice.
- Decision after due notice and hearing with appeal rights to PRC.
Reissuance and Replacement
- Revoked certificates may be reissued after 2 years.
- Replacement of lost or destroyed documents upon payment.
Roster of Librarians
- Maintained by Board with national organization collaboration.
- Includes licensees under old and current law.
- Roster copies provided to National Library, Civil Service Commission, and professional org.
Illegal Practice
- Prohibited without valid Certificate and ID or temporary permit.
Mandatory Display
- Certificates, ID numbers, and PTR must appear on professional documents.
Foreign Reciprocity
- Foreign librarians may be licensed if their country grants reciprocal rights.
Automatic Registration for Practicing Librarians
- Current librarians at Act's effectivity automatically registered.
Integrated National Organization
- Single accredited professional organization for all registered librarians.
- Automatic membership upon license and fee payment.
- Does not prevent membership in other associations.
Employment Restrictions
- Only licensed librarians may be employed in government libraries.
- Local governments have 3 years to comply.
Penal Provisions
- Unlicensed practice penalized with fines from P30,000 to P100,000 or imprisonment 1 to 3 years.
Funding
- PRC Chairperson to include implementation in PRC programs funded by annual General Appropriations.
Transitional Provisions
- Existing Board continues until new Board is formed.
Implementing Rules
- Board to promulgate rules, codes, and standards with PRC approval.
- These take effect 15 days after publication.
Separability Clause
- Unconstitutional provisions do not affect the rest of the Act.
Repealing Clause
- Repeals RA 6966 and other inconsistent laws.
Effectivity
- Takes effect 15 days after publication in Official Gazette or a national newspaper.