What's happening
This bill requires a study on New York public libraries' access to capital funding, with findings reported and posted publicly.
Why it matters
Comprehensive Analysis of Capital Access. The study will delve into how New York public libraries currently fund building projects, what financing options exist, and identify gaps or barriers that may prevent some libraries from accessing necessary capital, especially for infrastructure improvements.
Focus on Equity for Small Communities. Special attention is given to libraries serving populations under 7,500, examining their unique challenges in securing financing and ensuring that the needs of smaller, possibly rural, communities are not overlooked.
Transparency and Accountability. By requiring the findings to be reported to state officials and published online, the bill promotes transparency, allowing the public and policymakers to understand where library funding systems succeed or fail and to advocate for improvements.
Potential for Policy Reform. The study’s mandated recommendations could serve as a foundation for future legislative or budgetary changes, possibly resulting in more equitable or effective funding mechanisms for public libraries across New York State.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Study Library Funding Access
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.1458
- Referred to education
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7161
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 3, 2018
Introduced by Sen. RITCHIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to conducting a study on the access of state public libraries and library systems to capital funding; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 273-a of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 8 to read as follows:
8. There shall be a study conducted relating to the access of state public libraries and library systems to capital funding.
a. The department, in consultation with the dormitory authority, the office of the state comptroller, and the public library systems of the state, shall assess and report on the capital needs of such public library systems, including public libraries and association libraries. Such study shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) identification of current options available to libraries and library systems for financing capital projects;
(2) the projected capital needs of libraries and library systems over a five year period;
(3) identification of alternative options for libraries and library systems to finance capital projects;
(4) information related to dormitory authority financing of public libraries and public library systems in the past ten years including but not limited to: the total number of public libraries and library systems that have applied for dormitory authority financing; what percentage of public libraries and library systems are denied funding from the dormitory authority and the reasons for such denials; the total cost of the proposed projects; and the amount of financing provided for the projects and the number of project applications submitted each year;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11152-01-7
S. 7161 2
(5) identification of special needs, barriers to accessing financing and options for financing for public libraries serving communities with populations of less than seventy-five hundred; and
(6) recommendations for the improvement of access to capital funding for public libraries and library systems.
b. For the purposes of this subdivision, the following terms shall be defined as follows:
(1) "public library" shall mean any public or association library, other than a professional, technical or public school library, established for free public purposes by official action of a municipality or district or the legislature, where the whole interests belong to the public; the term "association library" shall be construed to mean a library established and controlled, in whole or in part, by a group of private individuals operating as an association, closed corporation or as trustees under the provisions of a will or deed of trust; and the term "free" as applied to a library shall be construed to mean a library maintained for the benefit and free use on equal terms of all the people of the community in which the library is located.
(2) "public library system" shall mean:
(i) A library established by one or more counties.
(ii) A group of libraries serving an area including one or more counties in whole or in part.
(iii) A library of a city containing one or more counties.
(iv) A cooperative library system established pursuant to section two hundred fifty-five of this part, the plan of library service of any of which shall have been approved by the commissioner.
c. The study required by this subdivision shall be completed by July first, two thousand eighteen. The findings of such study shall be provided to the governor, the speaker of the assembly, the temporary president of the senate, the chair of the assembly libraries and education technology committee, and the chair of the senate select committee on libraries. The findings of such study shall also be posted on the New York state library's website.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately, provided, however that the amendments to section 273-a of the education law made by section one of this act shall not affect the expiration of such section and shall expire and be deemed repealed January 31, 2019.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to conducting a study on the access of state public libraries and library systems to capital funding; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
Purpose
This legislation would require the Commissioner of the State Education Department, in consultation with the dormitory authority, the *-4/office of the state comptroller, and the public library systems of the state to complete a study on the capital needs of libraries and library systems in New York State.
Summary of provisions
This legislation would require the Commissioner of the State Education Department, in consultation with the dormitory authority, the office of the state comptroller, and the public library systems of the state to conduct a study and identify current options available to libraries for financing capital projects along with their projected needs over a five year period. Additionally, such study shall identify any special needs, barriers to accessing financing and options for financing for public libraries serving communities with populations of less than seventy-five hundred. The legislation would require such study and recommendations to be provided to the Governor, the Speaker of the Assembly, the Temporary President of the Senate, the Chair of the Assembly Libraries and Educa- tion Technology Committee, and the Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Libraries.
Justification
New York State's public libraries are rapidly aging. More than 48% of local libraries are over 60 years old and an additional 33% are over 30 years old. Failure to adequately fund local libraries' capital needs falls disproportionately on communities with diminished economic resources the lack of investment has forced the sale of some public libraries. Additionally, libraries in economically disadvantaged commu- nities cannot afford basic investment in energy-efficient upgrades and increased operating costs have forced shorter hours, reduced staffing, and reduced programming. Public libraries remain unable to accommodate advances in technological infrastructure, make investments in energy efficiency, or increase access for persons with disabilities due to the lack of access to capital financing. The purpose of this study is to identify and provide recommendations for the improvement of access to capital funding to our public libraries and public library systems.
Legislative history
New Bill.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
Immediate
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.