What's happening
This bill requires all public, free association, and Indian library trustees in New York to complete two hours of continuing education annually.
Why it matters
Improves trustee accountability and knowledge. By requiring education on topics like financial oversight, library laws, and board governance, the bill aims to ensure trustees are better equipped to fulfill their fiduciary and legal responsibilities, reducing mistakes and mismanagement.
Standardizes trustee education across all libraries. The bill sets clear expectations for all public, free association, and Indian libraries, promoting consistency in how library boards operate and make decisions, regardless of location or size.
Creates mechanisms for enforcement and consequences. Trustees who don't comply for two years lose their positions automatically, and libraries that don't comply risk suspension or loss of registration, signaling that ongoing education is not optional.
Allows flexibility and recognizes real-world barriers. The bill permits a variety of learning formats (in-person, online, conferences) and lets boards seek a variance if circumstances beyond their control make compliance temporarily impossible, balancing rigor with practicality.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Library Trustee Training
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- 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.
Library Trustees Must Take Classes
In Assembly Committee · Libraries And Education Technology · Sponsor Sean Ryan
Full text
3 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7285
IN SENATE
January 15, 2020
Introduced by Sen. MAY -- 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 requiring members of a board of trustees of public, free association and Indian libraries to complete two hours of continuing education per year
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 260-d to read as follows:
§ 260-d. Board of trustees continuing education. 1. For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
a. "Trustee education" shall mean the instruction, in-person and/or online, for members of a board of trustees of a registered public, free association or Indian library that addresses the powers, functions and duties of library boards, the financial oversight, accountability and fiduciary responsibilities of library boards, and the laws, rules and regulations that govern public, free association and Indian libraries.
b. "Annual basis" shall mean within the twelve-month period of a member's full term of office, in accordance with the provisions of the library's enabling legislation, incorporation and board-approved bylaws.
c. "Approved provider" shall mean an institution or organization designated as eligible to provide trustee education in accordance with the requirements of this section. Such approved providers shall include:
(1) a public library system;
(2) a state or national library association;
(3) a state or national association of library trustees;
(4) the department; and
(5) any other institution or organization approved by the department or by the public library system of which the library is a member.
2. a. Beginning January first, two thousand twenty-one, each member, elected or appointed, of a board of trustees of a registered public, free association or Indian library shall be required to complete a minimum of two hours of trustee education on an annual basis from an approved provider.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14593-02-0
S. 7285 2
b. Such trustee education shall consist of instruction and/or activities in the following subjects:
(1) board development;
(2) budget development and/or finances;
(3) financial oversight;
(4) human resources and personnel;
(5) library board organization and meetings;
(6) library policies;
(7) state laws, rules and regulations that affect libraries;
(8) public relations and advocacy;
(9) strategic plan and related topics; and
(10) any other subject areas deemed relevant to the governance of a library.
c. Such trustee education shall be delivered by an approved provider in an approved format, including:
(1) in-person lectures, workshops, courses, seminars or institutes;
(2) live or self-paced online lectures, workshops, courses, seminars or institutes;
(3) regional, state or national library association conference programs;
(4) state or national library trustee association conference programs; and
(5) any other format or combination of formats, as approved by the department or by the public library system of which the library is a member.
3. a. Each member shall demonstrate compliance with the requirements of this section by filing with the president of the board of trustees evidence of the completion of at least two hours of trustee education from an approved provider. Such evidence shall include one of the following:
(1) certificates of completion issued by one or more approved providers; or
(2) a signed self-assurance of completion. Such assurance shall identify the approved trustee education providers, a description of the format and content of the completed instruction activities, the date and time such member began and completed each instruction activity and an explanation of why a certificate of completion was not available from such approved providers.
b. The president of the board of trustees shall certify to the department on an annual basis that each member of the board has completed the required annual hours of trustee education pursuant to this section. Such certification shall be submitted to the department on the report required by section two hundred fifteen of this article.
4. a. The office of any member of a board of trustees who fails to demonstrate compliance with the trustee education requirements established by this section for two consecutive years shall automatically be deemed vacant. Any member whose office has been deemed vacant due to failure to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of this section shall only be eligible (1) for reappointment to such office after the expiration of such member's vacated term, or (2) to run for such office again at the next election.
b. Failure of the board of trustees of any registered public, free association or Indian library to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of this section shall be deemed a valid reason for the rescinding or suspension of such library's registration.
S. 7285 3
5. If circumstances over which any public, free association or Indian library has no control prevent the board of trustees from meeting the requirements of this section, such board may apply for a variance. The application for such variance shall be submitted to the department by the public library system of which such board is a member and in a timely manner as prescribed by the commissioner. No variance granted pursuant to this subdivision shall be deemed to relieve a public, free association or Indian library of any other obligation imposed by any other provisions of federal or state law.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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 requiring members of a board of trustees of public, free association and Indian libraries to complete two hours of continuing education per year
Purpose or general idea of the bill
This bill requires board of trustee members to complete a minimum of two hours of continuing education credits per year.
Summary of provisions
Section one of the bill amends the education law by adding a new section 260-d to require members of boards of trustees of certain libraries to annually receive two hours of in-person or online education that addresses the powers, functions, and duties of libraries and boards; the financial oversight, accountability, and fiduciary responsibilities of library boards; and the laws and regulations that govern public, free association, and Indian libraries. This requirement commences in 2021.
Subsection one defines terms.
Subsection two provides that the education requirement commences January 1, 2020; describes the subjects that the instruction may entail; and identifies acceptable formats of instruction.
Subsection three sets forth the methods for demonstrating compliance.
Subsection four sets forth the ramifications for noncompliance.
Subsection five sets forth the allowance for and process of requesting a variance.
Section two provides the effective date.
Justification
Over 6,000 library trustees in New York State are responsible for governing 756 local public libraries with 1,100 facilities. Library trustees are required by law to be good stewards of $1.4 billion in public and private annual income and several billion dollars of critical public assets such as library buildings and equipment.
New York is a diverse state and the scope of this responsibility is wide ranging, from diverse urban libraries serving millions of people with budgets over $100 million to rural libraries serving small, geograph- ically isolated communities with budgets of less than $10,000. Regard- less of the size of the community, size of the library or size of the library's budget, library board members need basic training.
Library governance grows increasingly more complex every year, and library board members need training throughout their service in order to understand and effectively carry out their mandated duties and responsi- bilities and to be accountable for the appropriate use of public funds.
Public and association library trustees and board members are an essen- tial element in providing oversight and guidance to help maintain the effective and efficient administration of a local library. Library board members, who are versed in the powers, functions and duties of their positions, including their fiduciary responsibilities, will be better able to provide effective oversight and help a library meet its mission and be accountable to the local community, thereby protecting the public interest.
There are no ongoing, comprehensive State-approved education or training programs for appointed or elected library trustees in New York State to inform them as to their fiscal oversight and stewardship responsibil- ities and to provide them with the current information and tools neces- sary to successfully carry out this critical policy and fiscal oversight role.
Prior legislative history
New Bill
Fiscal implications
Minimal
Effective date
Immediately
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.