Close The Gap: Library Aid Priorities For 2007

NYLA is proposing a $27 million increase in state aid formulas (Chapter 917) as the best way to ensure that all types of communities, libraries and library systems in New York State receive adequate funding to meet increased demands on their services. A $27 million increase will provide:

• 20 percent increase for public library systems and reference and resources councils and a 50 percent increase in funding for school library systems

  New York’s network of library systems enables academic, public, school and special libraries to work together, sharing books, staff, programs & services - reducing costs for all. School library systems need a larger percentage increase as they are in crisis - unable to provide mandated services to the more than 4,500 schools they serve.

• 66 percent increase in funding for public libraries across New York

  This would provide an equitable increase in aid to local libraries across the state. Over nine million New Yorkers are registered library users; 106 million people a year visit their public library. Public libraries answer 27 million reference questions per year. Public libraries serve immigrants and entrepreneurs, professionals and the unemployed, home schoolers and grad students, babies and centenarians - and all in between.

• 100 percent increase in coordinated collection development aid for academic libraries

  Academic libraries don’t just serve their students and faculty - they help their communities. Each year, these libraries loan tens of thousands of books to New Yorkers. But as the cost of materials has increased, academic libraries have fewer materials to share.

  In addition, NYLA is seeking the following:

• $5 million annually to expand NOVEL (New York Online Virtual Electronic Library)

• $14 million in continued funding for public library construction

• Increase in Library Materials Aid from $6 to $15 per pupil for school libraries

(For facts about libraries, continue on to page 5.)