(a) Designation.— The State Librarian shall designate four Statewide library resource centers to be located at the following places:

1. (1) Free Library of Philadelphia.
2. (2) Pennsylvania State Library.
3. (3) Pennsylvania State University Library.
4. (4) Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.

(b) Powers and duties.— A Statewide library resource center shall:

1. (1) Have the responsibility and power to acquire major research collections.
2. (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.