Assemblyman Mike Norris (R,I-Lockport) has been meeting with library advocates and his colleagues in the state Legislature to try to include increased funding for libraries in this year’s state budget. Norris said he hopes the final budget agreement will include a much-needed funding increase to allow more libraries to expand their programming and facilities to better accommodate the handicapped and upgrade Internet services.

“In Western New York, as with other more rural communities across upstate, there are still too many areas that are underserved concerning high-speed internet. In these communities, libraries are a place where residents can come to get online, as well as to take advantage of the many reading, learning and social programs libraries offer,” said Norris. “Our libraries deserve increased funding so they can expand and serve even more of the public.”

The governor’s Executive Budget proposed no increase to library funding; however, the Assembly’s one-house budget proposed increasing library aid by $4 million and investing an additional $11 million for capital construction grants for libraries.