National Public Library Definition
Per the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a public library is established under state enabling laws or regulations to serve a community, district, or region, and provides at least the following:
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an organized collection of printed or other library materials, or a combination thereof;
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paid staff;
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an established schedule in which services of the staff are available to the public;
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the facilities necessary to support such a collection, staff, and schedule, and
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is supported in whole or in part with public funds.
Public libraries continue to be places for education and self-help, and offer opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds. They offer opportunities for everyone to learn and to pursue self-improvement. In response to community needs for information, many libraries offer such programs as English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, homework help, after-school programs for children, job information centers, assistance for new immigrants, literacy programs, and much, much more. To serve such community needs, public libraries collect and make available information in many, many formats.
From the American Library Association: Resource Guides
https://libguides.ala.org/library-definition
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