Credit: Tom Sofield/NewtownPANow.com
The Bucks County Free Library has announced it is no longer operating as a Passport Acceptance Facility.
As a result, the library system will no longer offer passport services or accept passport applications.
The change in the library’s passport authorization went into effect on Feb. 13 after the U.S. State Department ordered the nonprofit to cease passport services.
Last fall, the U.S. State Department began to issue cease and desist orders to nonprofit libraries around the country, according to reports.
Federal law does not allow non-governmental organizations, such as nonprofit libraries, to collect or retain any fees for passport applications, according to the federal government.
Government-run libraries are not affected by this new State Department order. They may still offer passport services.
The Bucks County Free Library is a nonprofit system that receives taxpayer funds. The nonprofit’s board is run by seven people appointed by the Bucks County Commissioners.
The library system has branches throughout the county, including in Bensalem, Doylestown, Langhorne, Levittown, Perkasie, Quakertown, and Yardley-Makefield.
The Fallsington Library, Free Library of New Hope & Solebury, Free Library of Northampton Township, Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library in Bristol, Morrisville Free Library, Pipersville Free Library, Riegelsville Public Library, Southampton Free Library, Township Library of Lower Southampton, Village Library of Wrightstown, and Warminster Township Free Library are a part of the county system.
The American Library Association recently stated that about 15% of all public libraries around the country could be affected by the new State Department policy.
Both Democratic and Republican Congress members have publicly expressed disappointment with the federal order.
Pennsylvania Reps. Madeleine Dean, a Democrat, and John Joyce, a Republican, have proposed a bill to allow nonprofit libraries to continue to offer authorized passport services. The bipartisan legislation would amend the Passport Act of 1920.
Residents of Bucks County looking for passport acceptance facilities can visit the county’s website for more information. Additional options can also be found at the U.S. State Department’s website.
