(a) Designation.--The State Librarian shall designate four Statewide library resource centers to be located at the following places:
(1) Free Library of Philadelphia.
(2) Pennsylvania State Library.
(3) Pennsylvania State University Library.
(4) Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
(b) Powers and duties.--A Statewide library resource center shall:
(1) Have the responsibility and power to acquire major research collections.
(2) Make research collections available to the residents of this Commonwealth on a Statewide basis under rules and regulations promulgated by a board consisting of the head librarians of all Statewide library resource centers and under the chairmanship of the State Librarian.