The Honorable Sheldon Silver
Speaker of the Assembly
State Capitol, Room 346
Albany, NY 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 2006 legislative session. My first session as Chair of the Committee saw an extraordinary increase in construction aid for libraries and library systems in New York State. 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.

Libraries have played an important role in my life for many years now. As a past board member for the Patchogue-Medford Library in Suffolk County, I saw first-hand the everyday financial, staffing and technological struggles that our libraries face. As a member of the library board for eight years, I also saw the important role that public libraries play in the continuing education and cultural development of New York’s communities.

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, which provided libraries with a regular and steady funding formula, the scope of services that libraries seek to provide to the public has expanded with changing technologies. Unfortunately, the funding provided to libraries under this formula had not grown at a comparable rate in the eight years preceding the 2006 legislative session. This flat funding has left libraries throughout the State at a severe disadvantage for providing an increasing list of necessary services to the public.

As a participant in this year’s joint Conference Committee on Education, I’m proud to have played an active part in a budget process that secured nearly $20 million in increased funding for New York State libraries and library systems. This increase in aid displayed the Assembly majority’s strong commitment to libraries and library systems throughout the State.

Our 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 to help libraries meet these needs. I look forward to the upcoming session as we continue to work to ensure that our libraries get the support that they deserve.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the Committee, as well as all of the members of the Assembly, 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’s important issues.

Sincerely,

Patricia A. Eddington
Member of Assembly

2006 ANNUAL REPORT

STANDING COMMITTEE ON LIBRARIES
AND EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY

Patricia A. Eddington, Chair

Committee Members

1. COMMITTEE JURISDICTION

2. PROVIDING LIBRARIES WITH NECESSARY RESOURCES

3. IMPROVING AND EXPANDING NEW YORK STATE LIBRARIES

4. COMMITTEE OUTLOOK FOR 2007

APPENDIX A:  2006 SUMMARY OF ACTION ON COMMITTEE BILLS

APPENDIX B:  CHAPTERS OF 2006

The Libraries and Education Technology Committee has jurisdiction over legislation introduced concerning the many issues affecting public, academic, school and private libraries. The Committee, created in 1997 under the leadership of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, handles legislation affecting the administration and funding of libraries and library systems across New York State. The Committee develops and reviews legislation which enables New York’s libraries to meet the challenges of the information age. Today’s explosion in information technology has placed new demands on libraries. As libraries are called upon to play an expanding role in educating New Yorkers, it is imperative that they receive the attention and support they require to meet these new challenges. The work done by the Committee assists libraries in sustaining the infrastructure and staff resources necessary to allow all New Yorkers access to technological advances available through New York’s vast library community.

Libraries play an important role in 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 and cultural experiences. New York State has over 7,000 libraries which serve our citizens in many capacities. Many of these institutions are among the largest and the best in the United States. Of the forty 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. New York’s libraries provide support for students, teachers, researchers, readers, job seekers, entrepreneurs and many others who need assistance in finding and using information.

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 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, Governor Pataki’s decision to not re-adjust funding rates to reflect the most recent census figures, has left library and library system funding in New York State flat for the past eight years. With each year that funding remained flat, libraries and library systems lost valuable buying power and the ability to expand and respond to their community’s growing needs. This year, the Assembly worked to ensure library funding was brought to 2000 census levels, and in order to do so secured an additional $2.75 million in supplemental formula funding in the FY 2006-07 budget.

In addition to bringing basic funding levels up to date, the Assembly secured $3 million in new aid for library systems. The Assembly also worked to obtain $14 million in funds for statewide library construction projects. These funds come at a critical time for libraries, with nearly half of the state’s library buildings 50 or more years old.

The final budget for FY 2006-07 provided $94.8 million in aid for library and library systems; this is a 6.6% increase from the FY 2005-06 budget allocation of $88.9 million. On top of securing these much needed increases in aid for libraries, the Assembly also advanced several initiatives to provide new resources for New York’s libraries and library systems.

Friends of Libraries Week

A.1247, Dinowitz This bill would create an annual "Friends of Libraries Week" designed to highlight the significant contributions made by Friends of Libraries organizations throughout the State. Additionally, the creation of an annual "Friends of Libraries Week" would help focus public attention on and generate interest in library services in New York State communities. This bill would enact "Friends of Library Week" to begin the third Sunday in the month of April annually. This bill passed the Assembly but died in the Senate.

Revolving Loan Fund

A. 3498-A, Pretlow This legislation would create a revolving loan fund for libraries, enabling them to fund needed capital construction projects. Upon review and approval of loan applications by the Commissioner, financial assistance loans would be awarded to eligible library and library systems in amounts up to five hundred thousand dollars and be repaid at low interest rates. Qualified projects would include expanding space for library services and increasing access for the disabled. This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate.

Increasing Funding for Library Services for the Visually and Physically Disabled

A. 8207, Millman This bill would increase the amount of annual State funding available for library services for the visually and physically disabled by increasing the funding for the New York State Library for the Blind and the Andrew Heiskell Talking Book and Braille Library. In addition to these increases, a direct funding stream was created for the Long Island Library for the Blind. These facilities provide library services to New York State residents who would be otherwise unable to read due to visual and other physical disabilities. This bill was reported to the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.

New Yorkers are blessed with one of the richest assortments of library resources in the nation. Even when resources are sometimes limited, New York maintains hundreds of chartered public or association libraries, 23 public library systems, 9 reference and research library systems and numerous specialized libraries. In addition, 42 school library systems serve the over 1400 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 an important role in the lives of New Yorkers.

The Assembly Libraries and Education Technology Committee considered a variety of legislation designed to expand and improve libraries throughout New York State.

Creating Library Funding Districts

A.9310-A, Ortloff; Chapter 646 of the Laws of 2006 This law authorizes a referendum creating the Dodge Library District and establishes its election and governance procedures. The District will not be recognized until both its creation and the initial proposed budget are approved by a vote of the majority in a general town election, located in the area of the proposed district.

A.10671, Manning; Chapter 498 of the Laws of 2006 This law authorizes a referendum creating the East Fishkill Library District and establishes the power to bond. The District will not be recognized until both its creation and initial proposed budget are approved by a vote of the majority in a general town election, located in the area of the proposed district. Additionally, nine trustees must be elected by a vote of the majority in the same election.

Revision of Funding For Library Districts

A.8797-A, Miller; Chapter 462 of the Laws of 2006 This law increases the maximum amount of real property tax that can be contributed by the City and Town of Poughkeepsie to the Greater Poughkeepsie Library District. Specifically, the real property tax cap for the Library District on revenues will increase incrementally over a five-year period to 90% of total revenue by 2011. This statute amends Chapter 524 of the Laws of 1987, which created the Greater Poughkeepsie Library District.

In the 2007 legislative session, the Committee’s top priority will be to maintain the current levels of funding for library and library systems based on 2000 census figures. In addition, the Committee will also remain focused on working toward renewing this year’s increases in library aid. In particular, one of the Committee’s goals will be to take a closer look at the need for an increase in library construction aid. Approximately half of New York’s public library buildings are 50 or more years old. Due to the advanced age of these buildings, over one third of our State’s library buildings are not yet in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Furthermore, many of these buildings cannot be properly wired to fully utilize computer technology. Additional goals for the 2007 session will include working to infuse more funding into existing projects such as the New York Online Virtual Electronic Library (NOVEL), and the Talking Book and Braille Library, as well as examining the subject of per pupil spending for School Library Materials Aid.

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