Naomi Matusow Assemblywoman 89th District

THE ASSEMBLY STATE OF NEW YORK ALBANY

CHAIR Committee on Libraries Education Technology CHAIR Subcommittee on Women's Business Development COMMITTEES Transportation Environmental Conservation Consumer Affairs and Protection Tourism, Arts and Sports Development Economic Development

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

Dear Speaker Silver:

It is my pleasure to transmit to you the 2000 Annual Report of the Standing Committee on Libraries and Education Technology. In my role as chairperson of the Committee I have been honored to represent you and the Assembly Majority when speaking to librarians and library supporters all over the state. This past year has provided many more opportunities for the Assembly Majority to continue its long tradition of supporting New York's public, school, academic and special libraries.

The 2000 legislative session was a productive one for the Libraries and Education Technology Committee. We considered legislation which will strengthen library funding and enable broader access to library facilities for all New Yorkers. We also worked to improve school libraries, enhance our students' information gathering skills, and improve information technology skills to help bridge the digital divide.

Especially important were the gains made in library funding this year. Under your leadership, the 2000-2001 budget includes an additional $5 million in well-deserved funding for libraries and library systems. These monies, to be targeted to overall library needs, capital construction and school technology projects, will help answer critical funding shortfalls created by the challenges of the information economy. Libraries are expanding the variety of materials available to their patrons, and serving greater numbers of people from diverse backgrounds in their communities.

          The Committee held a hearing this year which further underscored the need to increase library funding. Writers from New York State spoke before the Committee about the impact libraries have had on their lives, both personally and professionally. In the often eloquent testimony, the writers gave examples of childhood library experiences. Many spoke of using New York libraries as places to research and write their books. All testified that limits in library funding limit access to information as well as the opportunity to reach their audience.

Again, I want to thank you for your enthusiasm and dedication to the needs of New York's libraries. The members of the Libraries and Education Technology Committee and I look forward to working closely with you in the 2001 legislative session as we strive to make New York's libraries the example for the nation.

Sincerely,

Naomi C. Matusow, Chair
Assembly Committee on
Libraries and Education
Technology

2000 ANNUAL REPORT

STANDING COMMITTEE ON LIBRARIES
AND EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY

NAOMI C. MATUSOW, CHAIR

Staff

Sabrina M. Ty, Principal Legislative Coordinator
Mara Elliott, Legislative Associate
Caroline S. Morris, Associate Counsel
Michael Ridley, Committee Clerk
Laura Sawyer, Program and Counsel Secretary

The Libraries and Education Technology Committee has jurisdiction over the legislation introduced concerning the many issues affecting both public and private libraries. New York's libraries represent an invaluable educational and cultural resource for the State and its citizens. New York State has over 7,000 libraries which serve our citizens in a myriad of ways. They provide support for students, teachers, researchers, readers, job seekers, entrepreneurs and many others who need assistance in finding and using information.

The Committee, created in 1997 under the leadership of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, handles legislation affecting the administration and funding of libraries across New York State. 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.

The Libraries and Educational Technology Committee also develops and reviews legislation to enable New York's libraries to meet the challenges of the information age. Such initiatives will assist 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 infrastructure. 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.

II. PROVIDING LIBRARIES WITH NECESSARY RESOURCES

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 the resources needed to serve 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 an appropriation which was designed to provide sufficient funding for both library systems and individual libraries. The 2000-2001 budget approved by the Legislature included $88.873 million in funds for Chapter 917 programs. Additionally, 5 million dollars was added by the Assembly and Senate. These additional monies were dedicated to increasing overall funding, as well as adding much needed support in the areas of capital construction and school library system information technology projects.

In addition to providing increased funding for Libraries through the budget, the Committee also considered legislation which was designed to increase library funding.

A. Libraries 2001

III. IMPROVING AND EXPANDING NEW YORK STATE LIBRARIES

New Yorkers are blessed with one of the richest assortment of library resources in the nation. New York has 23 public library systems, 741 chartered public or association libraries, 9 reference and research libraries and numerous specialized libraries. Over 1400 school libraries are 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.