2005 Legislative Highlights for Libraries

This year, the Legislature authorized a five year extension of the authority of the Commissioner of Education to issue waivers to libraries and library systems who fail to meet maintenance of effort standards for local funding if there is an adequate justification presented. These waivers, when issued, would allow libraries and library systems to continue to receive full state funding, rather than face a statutory cut (A.6481-A, Galef/Chapter 661). In addition, the Legislature authorized a bill that would create a program to award scholarships to New York State residents who agree to work at libraries in New York State after receiving their degrees, (A.1739-A, Galef/Governor’s Veto 93).

Unfortunately, this legislation was vetoed by the Governor, who indicated that he believed such a proposal should be dealt with in the context of the budget.

Libraries Doing Their Part to Help the Gulf Coast

Following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, almost all community services have been disrupted, including library services. In an effort to do their part, the American Library Association (ALA) is coordinating a number of efforts to help libraries in the impacted region. At this time, the ALA is soliciting cash donations which are then being passed on to the Louisiana (LLA), Mississippi (MLA) and Alabama (ALLA) Library Associations, and is directing computer donations to the Mississippi Library Commission. Unfortunately, due to the extensive damage that many buildings in this area sustained, many libraries need to address repairs, if not rebuilding, before they can focus on restocking. At this time, no book donations are being accepted by the ALA for Gulf Coast libraries, but the ALA recommends holding on to any books that libraries or individuals might want to donate, as they will surely be needed in the future.

In addition to direct solicitation efforts, the ALA is coordinating an “Adopt a Library” program, connecting libraries around the country directly with libraries in the Gulf Coast region who need assistance. Individuals or organizations who wish to donate through the ALA should visit their website at www.ala.org, for additional information. The LLA and the MLA have also set up dedicated hurricane relief funds to which individuals can donate directly.

Contact information for these funds is listed below:

LLA Disaster Relief Fund
Louisiana Library Association
421 South 4th Street
Eunice, LA 70535
http://www.llaonline.org/

Rebuild Mississippi Libraries Fund
c/o Amsouth Bank
210 E. Capitol Street
Jackson, MS 39201

In a world where information is critical to our everyday lives – home, health, school, and work – New York’s libraries must work together to ensure that people have that information when and where they need it.

How is this accomplished?

SHARING: The NY3Rs are the nine regional state-funded organizations that smooth the flow of information among all libraries in the state. The NY3Rs provide the connections among public, school, academic, business, hospital, museum, law – all kinds of libraries – in New York. Libraries and researchers throughout New York State benefit from NY3Rs programs:

• Teachers can get books and articles from college libraries to create lesson plans.

• Health professionals can get the information needed to provide better patient care.

• Consumers can get trustworthy reliable healthcare information to enable them to make wise health and lifestyle choices.

• Students aren’t limited to resources in their own libraries, but have access to all libraries – worldwide, if need be.

• Business entrepreneurs can use the research resources of New York’s universities to create new products;

• Students learning about woman’s suffrage can access primary documents that have been digitized and put on a website.

• Families exploring their “roots” can search digitized versions of historical newspapers.

SAVING: Not only do the NY3Rs free the flow of information, they also help libraries save money. Economic development is crucial for New York State and library systems such as the NY3Rs and are a key link in providing the information that fuels that economic development.

This cost saving through interlibrary resource sharing, reciprocal borrowing, and discounted purchases of databases, can be truly astounding. In 2004, through the NY3Rs library network:

• Academic and special libraries loaned 409,000 books and articles to the people of New York, most of it without charge. If New Yorkers had to buy these books and articles, it would have cost more than $10 million dollars.

• Libraries saved an additional $1.3 million on the cost of delivering these materials through regional courier services provided by NY3Rs.

• Libraries saved more than $4.5 million on the cost of expensive online resources.

LEARNING: The NY3Rs provide ongoing professional development for the libraries greatest resource – their staffs. Each year, over 7,000 people who work in libraries attend training programs provided by the NY3Rs for free or at low cost – another savings of more than $750,000.