(a) Triggering event.--If the Commonwealth appropriation for libraries in any fiscal year is less than that provided in the immediately preceding fiscal year, upon application by the board of directors of the local library, the State Librarian may waive standards under this chapter and regulations promulgated under this chapter regarding hours of operation, staffing, continuing professional development, collections expenditures and any other standards related to library operations.

(b) Board of directors resolution.--The following shall apply:

(1) The board of directors of a local library may adopt a resolution at a regularly scheduled meeting of the board to apply for a waiver of any standards as provided in subsection (a) if meeting those standards places an economic hardship on the library's operating budget.

(2) Prior to the adoption of policies or procedures for which a waiver is being sought under paragraph (1), the department shall approve the policies or procedures.

(c) Application form and contents.--The application for waiver shall:

(1) Be in a manner and in a form developed by the State Librarian.

(2) Specify the need for the waiver.

(3) Provide supporting data and information to explain the benefits to be obtained by the waiver.

(d) Review of waiver application.--The State Librarian shall have 30 days from receipt of an application submitted under this section to approve, disapprove or request modifications to the application.

(e) Deemed approval.--If the State Librarian fails to act within the time period allotted under subsection (d), the waiver shall be deemed approved.

(f) Effect of disapproval.--If the State Librarian disapproves the application for waiver, he shall transmit the basis for disapproval to the board of directors of the local library.

(g) Reapplication.--The board of directors of a local library may submit a revised application for waiver to the State Librarian.

(h) Contents of approval.--The State Librarian may approve a waiver application in whole or in part. As to any part of an approved waiver application, the approval shall detail the extent to which each affected standard, policy or procedure may be revised by the board of directors.

(i) Duration of waiver.--Each waiver shall be effective for the duration of the fiscal year for which it was requested.

Cross References. Section 9332 is referred to in sections 9331, 9342 of this title.