Williamsport, Pa. — The James V. Brown Library received an official notification from the U.S. Department of State that it will be deactivated as a Passport Acceptance Facility due to its status as a non-governmental organization.
As a result, the Library’s final day to offer passport services will be Thursday, Feb. 12.
The State Department confirmed that this action is not related to the quality or reliability of the Library’s passport services, which have been provided successfully for the past 18 years, but is based solely on a change in enforcement of eligibility requirements affecting nonprofit organizations.
“It’s disappointing that we won’t be able to offer this service to our community anymore,” said Robbin Degeratu, passport acceptance facility manager and assistant director of the James V. Brown Library. “Libraries provide accessible and convenient passport services, especially in rural communities like ours. More than 25 libraries across Pennsylvania are being affected by this change, and together we processed over 41,000 passport applications last year.”
Advocates and community supporters are pushing for permanent legislative solutions that would allow nonprofit public libraries to resume service as Passport Acceptance Facilities. In response, Congressman John Joyce and Congresswoman Madeleine Dean introduced H.R. 6997, the Community Passport Service Access Act, bipartisan legislation to restore eligibility for nonprofit public libraries.
“If legislation is passed to restore eligibility, the James V. Brown Library will be first in line to rejoin the program,” said Degeratu. “In the meantime, we will continue to offer passport photo services, which are not limited to certified acceptance facilities.”
After Feb. 12, passport photo services will remain available at the Library for $10, with photos provided in print or digital format.
Call for action
Community members who value accessible passport services can help by contacting their federal elected officials and urging them to support H.R. 6997, the Community Services Access Act, which would preserve equitable passport services through nonprofit public libraries.
U.S. House of Representatives
Congressman Dan Meuser, Williamsport office: 570-202-0658|Washington DC: 202-225-6511 Congressman Glenn Thompson, Bellefonte office: 814-353-0215|Washington DC: 202-225-5121
U.S. Senate
Community members are encouraged to ask Senators to introduce a companion Senate bill supporting H.R. 6997.
Senator John Fetterman, Wilkes-Barre office: 570-820-4088|Washington DC: 202-224-4254 Senator David McCormick, State Collegeoffice: 814-357-0314|Washington DC e: 202-224-6324
Community members may also opt in to receive advocacy updates by emailing SavePassports@JVBrown.edu.
