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Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
2 Multi-sponsors
History
- Referred to libraries and education technology
Full text
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Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:A11092
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to providing funding for the library of The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen of the City of New York
Purpose
This bill would provide annual funding to support the library of The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen of the City of New York.
Summary of provisions
Adds a new paragraph 0 to subdivision 1 of section 273 of the Education Law to provide $200,000 annually for the library of The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen of the City of New York.
Existing law
Current law provides annual funding for a number of specialized libraries. The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture ($734,000), the Business Library of the Brooklyn Public Library ($350,000), The New York Historical Society ($250,000), and the Center for Jewish History ($200,000) are currently enumerated in the Education Law.
Justification
The library of The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen of the City Of New York was founded in 1820 by master crafts- men for the apprentices of New York. It is the second-Oldest continuous- ly operating library in the city.
The collection began as books donated or purchased for the general education of working people. By the end of the 19th century, it was the largest circulating library in the city. Between 1886 and 1898, the library received public funds from the State of New York and was called the Free Library.
Today, the library continues in its 186th year as an institution with the mission to provide educational and cultural opportunities for work- ing people in New York. Its collections are open to the public for a small annual subscription. Its books and periodicals support the educa- tional programs of The General Society, including the Mechanics Insti- tute, a tuition-free school for working adults, and the Small Press Center, an educational resource for people interested in publishing and its history.
The library's collection celebrates urban work and its history. Its older books are a legacy from the 19th century, and are available to scholars and other researchers. In 2005, the Society opened its archival records from 1785-1955 to researchers with support from the National Historic Publications and Records Commission. These records document the role of New York's master craftsmen in creating and sustaining The General Society as an educational institution for the past 223 years.
The library also serves a larger public by hosting the "Labor, Litera- ture, and Landmarks" lecture series and the annual Small Press Center
book fair for independent publishing. The Library collaborates with Empire State College, serving as a resource center for faculty and students of The Harry Van Arsdale Center for Labor Studies. In recent years, The Van Arsdale Center has contributed to the support of the Library and its programs, as 11.SR the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the New York State Council on the Humanities. The Library's operating budget is supported solely by The General Society.
Legislative history
2006: A11413 - referred to Libraries 2007: A2052-A - reported to Rules 2008: A2052-B - reported to Ways and Means
Fiscal implications
$200,000 if appropriated in the 2010-11 budget.
Local fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
April 1, 2011.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.