New York State Assembly

1999 Annual Report

Committee on Libraries and Education Technology

Sheldon Silver, Speaker
Naomi C. Matusow, Chair

Naomi C. Matusow Assembly Member 89th District

THE ASSEMBLY STATE OF NEW YORK ALBANY

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

December 15, 1999

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 1999 Annual Report of the Standing Committee on Libraries and Education Technology. As the newly appointed chairperson of the Committee, I am especially grateful to have been given this opportunity to work with the library community. Libraries have always played a vital role in sustaining the dream of democracy in our state and it is an honor to be given a chance to help lead the library community into the twenty-first century.

The Assembly Majority has long championed libraries in New York State. The creation of the Libraries and Education Technology Committee in 1997 further demonstrated that commitment: the New York State Assembly is the only legislative body in the United States with a committee devoted to library issues.

During the 1999 legislative session, the Committee had the opportunity to continue its efforts on behalf of New York's libraries. Exploring the growing informational opportunities available to New York's citizens and responding to local library initiatives and needs gave the Committee a wide variety of items to consider. Issues such as library funding, censorship, access to the internet, and other proposals were brought before the Committee during the session.

As always, funding for libraries remains a critical issue for the Committee and the library community. The growing demands on library services cannot be met without increased funding at the federal, state and local level. Libraries are widening the variety of materials available to their patrons, and serving greater numbers of people from diverse backgrounds in their communities. Under your leadership, the members of the Libraries and Education Technology Committee hope to lead the fight for better funding for New York State's libraries and more opportunities for New Yorkers to improve their individual and collective futures.

Again, I want to acknowledge your support and commitment to New York's libraries and to the Libraries and Education Technology Committee during the 1999 session, and I look forward to working closely with you in the future to make New York one of the most technologically advanced states in our country.

Sincerely,

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

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

I. COMMITTEE JURISDICTION

II. PROVIDING LIBRARIES WITH NECESSARY RESOURCES

III. IMPROVING AND EXPADING NEW YORK STATE LIBRARIES

APPENDIX A: 1999 SUMMARY SHEET

APPENDIX B: CHAPTERS OF 1999

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 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.

The Assembly has long supported libraries and the educational, cultural and economic roles they play in their communities. The Libraries and Educational Technology Committee 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.

The Committee also handles legislation affecting the administration and funding of over 7,000 libraries in 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.

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 New York State Assembly 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 libraries. Based on a series of formulas which would fund both library systems and individual libraries, Chapter 917 was intended to eliminate the consistent underfunding libraries had faced in the 1980s. Unfortunately, the funding required by the statute was not always achieved, and in many years library funding remained below the amount stated in law.

The 1999-2000 budget approved by the Legislature included $88.5 million in funds for Chapter 917 programs, an amount equal to the 1998-1999 enacted budget. Recognizing the needs of one important library community, the Assembly majority added funding for library services to the blind and physically handicapped, as well as additional monies for library programs throughout the state.

In the 1998-1999 the Assembly proposed and successfully negotiated an increase in the School Library Materials Aid. The scheduled increase, from $4 per student to $6 per student, was eliminated in the 1999-2000 Executive budget proposal. The Assembly made restoration of the promised increase a priority in budget negotiations. The Assembly successfully restored the Executive cut, assuring that school districts across the state will receive the $6 per student this year.

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

A. Lottery Funds for Libraries

A.1291 A, Bragman This bill would use monies raised from lottery ticket sales to fund both the Electronic Doorway Library (EDL) program and construction of library facilities. To ensure continued revenue for the Division of the Lottery, advertising space would be made available on lottery tickets and other products. It is estimated that this bill, if enacted, would fully fund the EDL program. This bill passed the Assembly but was never considered by the Senate.

B. Libraries 2000

A.6048, Matusow This bill would provide additional funding for continued efforts to provide internet access and content to public and school libraries in New York State. The bill would also increase the annual amount of funding for capital construction in public libraries and library systems. This bill was reported to the Ways and Means Committee.

C. Friends of Libraries Week

A.6849, Matusow 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. This bill passed the Assembly but died in the Senate.

D. Elementary School Library Grant Program

A.8389, Matusow This bill would create a grant program to assist elementary school libraries in improving library service to our youngest students. The grant program would provide one-time awards to needy schools through a competitive process. This bill was referred to the Ways and Means Committee.

E. Aid to Merged Library Systems

A.1638, Luster This bill would provide supplemental financial assistance to library systems which merge. Currently, library systems which merge receive less state aid as a new, single system than the individual systems would have received had they remained separate. This bill passed the Assembly but was not considered by the Senate.

F. Dormitory Authority Financing

A. 827, Luster This bill would allow libraries to apply directly to the State Dormitory Authority for funding for capital projects. Currently, libraries must get legislative approval for such financing. This bill was reported to the Ways and Means Committee.

G. School Library Data Reporting

A.4885, Matusow This bill would require the State Education Department to collect data concerning school libraries as a part of its annual report to the Legislature. The current lack of data collected inhibits efforts to improve school library service in the state. This bill passed the Assembly but died in the Senate.

The library resources available to New Yorkers are immense. 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.

A. Alternate Voting Dates

A.1640, Luster This legislation would allow library boards to choose an alternate date for voting to increase the operating budget of the library. The voting dates required by law currently come after budgets are crafted, thus requiring budget drafters to assume revenues. Alternate dates would allow voter approved increases to be reflected in new budgets. This bill was reported to the Ways and Means Committee.

B. Crandall Library Financing

A.5485, Little; Chapter 357 of the Laws of 1999 This new law allows the Crandall Public Library in Glens Falls to seek financing from the Dormitory Authority.

C. Corning Library District

A.7587A, Bacalles; Chapter 202 of the Laws of 1999 This new law authorizes a referendum to create a library district serving the City of Corning and surrounding towns.

D. Bay Park Library Funding District

A.7940A, Weisenberg; Chapter 184 of the Laws of 1999 This new law amends the statute which created the Bay Park Library Funding District to clarify boundaries and voting procedures.

E. Heermance Library District

A.8189, Faso; Chapter 383 of the Laws 1999 This new law authorizes a referendum to create a library district serving the Town and Village of Coxsackie.

F. Hudson Library District

S.5736A, Saland; Chapter 257 of the Laws of 1999 This new law authorizes a referendum creating a library district to serve the City of Hudson and adjacent towns.

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

CHAPTERS OF 1999