As a ​​ ranking Minority member on the Committee on Libraries and Education Technology, Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown) announced that $210,187 has been allocated in state aid for library construction funds to the Westchester Library System’s Somers Library for a ‘Teen Space’ that will increase the amount of space teens have and create a more welcoming environment for them.. Additionally, $138,663 has been allocated to the Mid-Hudson Library’s Patterson Library Association in Putnam County to enhance the adult collection area with new reading niche additions.

The funds are from $34 million in capital funds for public library construction and broadband infrastructure projects provided in the FY2023-2024 State Budget.

New York’s public libraries are in urgent need of renovation and upgrading. A recent survey showed a documented need for public library construction and renovation projects totaling more than $1.75 billion. More than half of the over 1,000 public library buildings in communities across New York are over 60 years old. Another third are more than three decades old. Many of New York’s local public libraries are unable to accommodate users with disabilities, are energy inefficient, cannot provide Internet and computer and other electronic technologies to users because of outdated and inadequate electrical wiring. Many do not have sufficient space to house the library’s ever-expanding collection, address the need for adequate meeting spaces, or provide for public access computers.

“This funding is a critical investment in our local libraries, ensuring they can continue to serve our communities effectively,” said Slater. “By creating a more welcoming environment for teens at the Somers Library and enhancing the Patterson Library Association’s adult collection area, we are not only improving the functionality of these spaces but also enriching the experience for all patrons. Libraries are the heart of our communities, and I am proud to support their growth and modernization.”

In the FY2024-2025 State Budget, the Legislature provided $44 million for projects that will be announced in the Summer of 2025. This increase of $10 million, from the previous fiscal year, recognizes the continued need for support for libraries statewide to provide vital services to New Yorkers.