NYS Seal

ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON LIBRARIES AND EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY

SUBJECT:
Funding Public Libraries in New York State

PURPOSE:
To examine the impact of the 2011-12 State Budget on public libraries across New York State.

ALBANY
Tuesday
November 29, 2011
10:00 a.m.
Hamilton Hearing Room B
Legislative Office Building, 2nd Floor
Albany, New York

In the 2011-12 State budget, the Executive proposed an $8.4 million reduction in Aid to Public Libraries. Despite the challenging fiscal times, the Legislature was able to restore $3 million in library funding. The final approved budget for 2011-12 provided $79 million in state aid for libraries and library systems, including a continuation of $8 million in formula supplemental grants for library systems. In addition, language was included in the budget to ensure that the funding for libraries and library systems are impacted proportionately, assuring that all programs will continue to receive funding. Finally, the budget provided $14 million in capital funding to continue the Public Library Construction Grant Program for the sixth consecutive year.

This hearing will seek testimony on the impact the 2011-12 State budget has had on public libraries across New York State. In addition, the Committee is seeking testimony to ascertain the future needs of our public libraries and library systems.

Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committee at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to 10 minutes' duration. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible.

Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Committee's interest in hearing testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

Bob Reilly
Member of Assembly

Chair
Committee on Libraries and Education Technology




PUBLIC HEARING REPLY FORM

Persons wishing to present testimony at the public hearing on Funding Public Libraries in New York State are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and return it to:

Lindsey C. Facteau
Legislative Analyst
Assembly Committee on Libraries and Education Technology
Alfred E. Smith Building, Suite 1147
Albany, New York 12248
Email: facteaul@assembly.state.ny.us
Phone: (518) 455-4881
Fax: (518) 455-4128
box
I plan to attend the following public hearing on Funding Public Libraries in New York State to be conducted by the Assembly Committee on Libraries and Education Technology on November 29, 2011.
box
I plan to make a public statement at the hearing. My statement will be limited to 10 minutes, and I will answer any questions which may arise. I will provide 10 copies of my prepared statement.
box
I will address my remarks to the following subjects:

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

box
I do not plan to attend the above hearing.
box
I would like to be added to the Committee's mailing list for notices and reports.
box
I would like to be removed from the Committee's mailing list.
box
I will require assistance and/or handicapped accessibility information. Please specify the type of assistance required:

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


NAME:
___________________________________________________________________
TITLE:
___________________________________________________________________
ORGANIZATION:
___________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS:
___________________________________________________________________
E-MAIL:
___________________________________________________________________
TELEPHONE:
___________________________________________________________________
FAX TELEPHONE:
___________________________________________________________________