Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh (R,C,I,Ref-Ballston) participated in a New York Library Association (NYLA) rally in Albany on Wednesday, February 28, offering remarks in support of the organization and its mission. Walsh joined statewide calls for additional state funding to support local libraries, which has remained at the same level in the past two enacted New York State Budgets. During her comments Walsh referenced a 2017 Siena Poll which found that library usage has increased over the past five years statewide. Additionally, the poll’s findings showed that 92 percent of New Yorkers believe that their local library is an important part of their local education system, with a majority indicating library aid should increase equally to increases in education funding.

“It’s impossible to overstate the importance of local libraries in our communities, and they need our support in order to continue offering exciting and invaluable educational services to New Yorkers of all ages,” said Walsh, Assembly Minority Ranker on the Libraries and Technology Education Committee. “I look forward to continuing to work in partnership with the NYLA toward our common goal of increasing state funding for our libraries, and urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join us in these worthy efforts.”