What's happening
This bill requires a comprehensive study on public libraries' and library systems' access to capital funding in New York State.
Why it matters
Shines a light on funding disparities. By requiring detailed data on the availability, denial rates, and barriers to capital funding for public libraries and systems, this study can reveal gaps or inequities in how libraries across New York access money for buildings and infrastructure.
Focuses on small and rural libraries. The bill specifically asks for identification of unique obstacles faced by libraries serving communities with populations under 7,500, which could lead to more targeted assistance for rural or under-resourced areas.
Informs future policy and investment. The mandate for recommendations on improving access to capital funding gives lawmakers and library advocates a factual basis to propose reforms or new funding mechanisms, potentially leading to better facilities and services statewide.
Ensures public transparency and accountability. By requiring the study’s findings to be shared with state leaders and posted publicly, the legislation promotes open government and allows New Yorkers to see how library funding issues are being addressed.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Study Library Funding Access
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 14
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Study Library Funding Access
In Assembly Committee · Libraries And Education Technology · Sponsor Dan Quart
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5374
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
April 29, 2019
Introduced by Sen. COMRIE -- 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
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.
LBD01426-01-9
S. 5374 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 January first, two thousand twenty-one. 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 be deemed repealed therewith.
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
Purpose or general idea of bill
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 complete a study on the capital needs of libraries and library systems in New York State.
Summary of specific 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 system.
Prior legislative history
2017-2018: A7630 passed Assembly
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.