Pennsylvania § 9316 - Acquisition of real property for library purposes.

§ 9316. Acquisition of real property for library purposes.

(a) Purchase or lease of real property.--A municipality may acquire lands and buildings for local library purposes by the:

(1) purchase, setting apart or lease of lands and buildings or parts of buildings already owned by the municipality;

(2) erection of buildings; or

(3) alteration of existing buildings to make them suitable for local library purposes.

(b) Acquisition costs.--A municipality may provide for the cost of an acquisition under subsection (a) in the same manner as other buildings are acquired for use for municipal purposes.

(c) Use of library tax proceeds.--If a municipality has authorized a library tax, the directors of the library may remit any funds accumulated in excess of the necessary costs of establishing, maintaining or aiding the library to the municipal officers of the municipality, which funds shall be used for the purposes provided in subsection (a).

(d) Taking of private property.--A municipality may, by ordinance or resolution, purchase, enter upon and appropriate private property within its limits for the purpose of erecting or enlarging public library buildings.

(e) Board of viewers.--The court of common pleas shall appoint a board of viewers for the assessment of damages caused by the taking of private property for public library purposes if:

(1) a petition is filed by the municipal officers or any interested person; and

(2) the municipality and the owners of the private property cannot agree on the compensation to be paid for the property.

(f) Viewing proceedings.--The proceedings before the board of viewers for the allowance of damages for property taken, injured or destroyed and the proceedings upon its report shall be as provided in other cases where such municipality appropriates private property for municipal purposes.

(g) Bond issue.--The qualified voters of a municipality shall determine at a special election whether to execute a bonded indebtedness for purchasing grounds and erecting buildings for library purposes under the following procedures:

(1) If petitioned for by 5% of the registered voters of a municipality, the municipal officers of a municipality shall submit to the qualified voters the question of execution of a bonded indebtedness.

(2) A special election under this subsection shall be held at the time of the next general, municipal or primary election.