The Honorable Sheldon Silver
Speaker of the Assembly
State Capitol, Room 346
Albany, New York 12248

Dear Speaker Silver:

I am honored to present to you the Annual Report for the Standing Committee on Libraries and Education Technology for the 2007 legislative session. My first session as Chair of the Committee saw an historic increase in aid for libraries and library systems in New York State and a renewed commitment to higher levels of funding for library construction. I look forward to working with you and the rest of my colleagues to continue providing much needed support and assistance to New York’s library community.

The Assembly Majority and the Committee on Libraries and Education Technology have a history of working to bring additional resources to the libraries of New York State. With the enactment of Chapter 917 of the laws of 1990, libraries were provided with a regular and steady funding formula, making it possible for them to expand the scope of services offered to the public, including newer technologies.

As a participant in this year’s joint Conference Committee on Education, I am proud to have played an active part in a budget process that secured a record increase of $5 million in new aid included in a total of $8 million for library systems and $14 million for statewide library capital projects. This increase in aid displayed the Assembly Majority’s strong commitment to libraries and library systems throughout the State.

Our State’s libraries offer a range of essential services to the public, including internet access, computerized cataloging, database access, and staff with the skills to support these services. The Assembly Majority has made it a priority to secure increased funding necessary to help libraries maintain these services. I look forward to the upcoming session as we continue to work to ensure that our libraries get the support they need.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the Committee, as well as all of the members of the Assembly Majority, for their commitment and dedication to the work of the Committee. I would also like to thank you for your unwavering support of this Committee on these important issues.

2007 ANNUAL REPORT

STANDING COMMITTEE ON LIBRARIES AND
EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY

Amy R. Paulin, Chair

Committee Members

1. COMMITTEE JURISDICTION

2. PROVIDING LIBRARIES WITH NECESSARY RESOURCES

3. IMPROVING AND EXPANDING NEW YORK STATE LIBRARIES

4. COMMITTEE OUTLOOK FOR 2008

APPENDIX A: 2007 SUMMARY OF ACTION ON COMMITTEE BILLS

APPENDIX B: CHAPTERS OF 2007

The Libraries and Education Technology Committee was created in 1997 under the leadership of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. The Committee has jurisdiction over legislation introduced concerning the many issues affecting public, academic, school and private libraries. The Committee develops and reviews legislation affecting the administration and funding of libraries and library systems across New York State. As today's explosion in information technology has placed new demands on libraries, we are mindful of our responsibility to ensure that New York’s libraries will be able to meet the challenges of the information age. The work done by the Committee assists libraries to sustain the infrastructure and staff resources necessary to allow all New Yorkers access to technological advances available through New York’s vast library community.

Libraries are integral to the educational and cultural development of all New Yorkers. Through a wealth of electronic and print media, New York’s libraries provide individuals and communities with exposure to information that broadens their intellectual, social and cultural experiences. New York State has over 7,000 libraries that serve our citizens in many capacities. Many of these libraries are among the largest and the best in the country. Of the 40 largest libraries in the United States, six are located in New York, more than in any other state. New York’s largest library, the New York Public Library, contains over ten million volumes and is among the top research institutions in the world. Among New York’s most cherished resources, our libraries provide support for all those who come to a library in search of information, knowledge, enlightenment or inspiration, whether they are students, teachers, researchers, academicians, authors, readers, job seekers, entrepreneurs or consumers.

As libraries are called upon to play an expanding role in educating New Yorkers, it is imperative that our libraries receive the attention and support they require to answer the call as we move forward in the 21st century.

The libraries of New York State work hard to meet the needs of the populations that they serve. However, those needs may vary widely, even within one district. Public, academic and school libraries cannot serve their patrons without an adequate and reliable source of funding. The New York State Assembly has long supported libraries and the educational, cultural and economic roles they play in their communities. The Assembly Majority is committed to providing libraries with the resources to meet the needs of all of our State’s citizens. Providing these resources requires a well-focused policy commitment as well as significant State financial support.

The Assembly has made increased funding for New York’s libraries a priority. To meet the funding needs of New York libraries, Chapter 917 of 1990 was enacted, establishing a formula which was designed to provide sufficient funding for both library systems and individual libraries based on the most current census figures. Unfortunately, from 1998 until 2006, Governor Pataki left funding rates for libraries unadjusted, leaving New York’s libraries and library systems severely underfunded. With each year that funding remained stagnant, libraries and library systems lost valuable buying power and the ability to expand and respond to the growing needs of their communities.

In 2007, the Assembly worked to ensure that the State’s libraries and library systems were once again funded at current census levels by including supplemental aid for libraries in the final budget. Additionally, the Assembly ensured that an extraordinary amount of additional funding was made available to libraries and library systems across the State. This amount of library aid included a record increase of $5 million in new aid, for a total of $8 million for funding library systems, in addition to a continuation of last year’s $14 million in funds for statewide library construction projects. These funds come at a critical time for libraries, with library systems cutting back on much-needed services and nearly half of the State’s library buildings 50 or more years old.

The final budget for FY 2007-08 provided $102.2 million in aid for libraries and library systems. This is a 5.7% increase from the FY 2006-07 budget allocation of $94.8 million. On top of securing this much needed aid for libraries, the Assembly also advanced several initiatives to provide new resources for New York’s libraries and library systems.

Increase in State Aid for Library Mergers

A.7572-A, Paulin; Chapter 654 of the Laws of 2007 This law remedies the situation where a library system’s merger provided for a reduction in the base grant, resulting in the loss of services. School library systems affected by mergers with BOCES on or after April 1, 2008 will receive an increase in State aid from $50,000 to $90,000 per year.

Board of Trustees and Library Budget Process

A.5107, Eddington; Chapter 184 of the Laws of 2007 This law clarifies that before a school district library appropriation proposal is voted upon, that proposal must have been approved by the library’s board of trustees. Ensuring endorsement of the proposition by the library board of trustees will eliminate the potential for multiple and conflicting library budget proposals on the same ballot. This bill also codifies a 2004 court decision clarifying that local citizens may petition a municipality to increase or establish funding for any public or free association library.

Creating Library Funding Districts

A.6863, Calhoun; Chapter 299 of the Laws of 2007 This law provides for the establishment of the Pine Bush Area Public Library District in the Town of Crawford, Orange County and a portion of the Town of Shawangunk.

Dormitory Authority Funding for Library Districts

A.417, Fitzpatrick; Chapter 276 of the Laws of 2007 This law includes the Smithtown Special Library District on the list of public libraries eligible for construction and financing assistance from the Dormitory Authority.

A.3018, Rabbitt; Chapter 277 of the Laws of 2007 This law includes the Goshen Public Library and Historical Society on the list of public libraries eligible for financing assistance from the Dormitory Authority.

A.3681, Fitzpatrick; Chapter 288 of the Laws of 2007 This law provides that the Hauppauge Public Library may bond through the Dormitory Authority for construction projects.

A.7743, Thiele; Chapter 662 of the Laws of 2007 This law includes the Hampton Library in Bridgehampton, Inc., the John Jermain Memorial Library, and the Westhampton Free Library on the list of public libraries eligible for financing assistance from the Dormitory Authority.

A.7807, Alessi; Chapter 551 of the Laws of 2007 This law includes the Southold Free Library on the list of public libraries eligible for financing assistance from the Dormitory Authority.

A.7887, McKevitt; Chapter 465 of the Laws of 2007 This law includes the North Merrick Public Library on the list of public libraries eligible for financing assistance through the Dormitory Authority.

Improving the Library Election Process

A.8289, Gordon; Chapter 316 of the Laws of 2007 This law provides that the polls for library board of trustees elections for the Hermance Memorial Library shall be open from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. This bill also reduces the number of signatures required on a petition to nominate a candidate for a vacancy on the Board of Trustees from 50 to 25.

A.8555-A, Reilly; Chapter 354 of the Laws of 2007 This law allows for election day in the Clifton Park-Halfmoon library district to be moved in the case that it falls on a religious holiday.

New Yorkers are fortunate to have one of the richest assortments of library resources in the nation. Even when resources are limited, New York maintains hundreds of chartered public or association libraries, 23 public library systems, nine reference and research library systems and numerous specialized libraries. In addition, 42 school library systems serve the over 1,400 school libraries located in elementary and secondary schools. From the New York Public Library, nationally recognized as one of the top research libraries in the world, to the smallest community-based book exchange, libraries play a vital role in the lives of New Yorkers. The Assembly Libraries and Education Technology Committee considered legislation in 2007 designed to expand and improve libraries throughout New York State.

New York Knowledge Initiative

A.7272-A, Paulin This bill would provide State funding for the New York Online Virtual Electronic Library (NOVEL), which supplies students and consumers with access to thousands of online publications while lowering costs for individual libraries. This bill was reported to the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.

In the 2008 Legislative Session, the Committee’s top priority will be to remain focused on maintaining this year’s increases in library aid, including library construction aid. With approximately half of New York’s public library buildings 50 or more years old and over one-third of our State’s library buildings not yet in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is essential to provide libraries with adequate resources. Additional goals for the 2008 session will include working to infuse more funding into existing projects such as the Statewide Internet Library and the Talking Book and Braille Library, as well as examining library systems aid.

SUMMARY OF ACTION ON ALL BILLS REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LIBRARIES AND EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY

To Floor; Not Returning to Committee

To Floor; Recommitted and Died

To Ways and Means Committee

To Codes Committee

To Rules Committee

To Judiciary Committee

Total

Substituted

Recalled

Total

CHAPTERS OF 2007