For New Yorkers: Regents Advisory Council on Libraries report highlights

This is now circulating on library discussion lists in New York State. As a member of the Regents Advisory Council on Libraries, I am also posting it here.

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REGENTS ADVISORY COUNCIL ON LIBRARIES RECOMMENDS INCREASED STATE FUNDING FOR LIBRARIES TO BOARD OF REGENTS

The 2008 report of the Regents Advisory Council on Libraries to the Board of Regents on the needs of New York's libraries and library systems is now online at www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/adviscns/rac/2008rept.htm

The report highlights the Council's discussion of the impact of the two percent across-the-board cut to New York State's Library Aid Program. Citing that the cut amounts to approximately $1.9 million of the $94 million ongoing Library Aid Program, the Council expressed concern that New York's libraries would be able to offer fewer books, fewer programs, and shortened hours to New York's library users.

The report also outlines the Council's recommendations to the Board of Regents for 2009 budget and legislative priorities for libraries. This includes:

• $5 million in state funding for the New York Digital Collection Initiative
• $20 million for the Public Library Construction Grant Program
• $10 million in Aid to Library Systems
• An increase to $10 per pupil in School Library Materials Aid
• State funding for the Statewide Summer Reading Program, Early Literacy Programs, and English as a Second Language Programs - $7 million
• State funding for Library Book Aid, Statewide Trustee Training and Support, Library Services for the Disabled, and Saturday hours for the State Library and State Archives - $12.05 million

The recommendations presented to the Board of Regents include a new proposal for a New York Digital Collection Initiative. The Initiative is a collaborative project involving libraries, archives, historical records repositories, museums, public broadcasting, and other partners.
It will incorporate the NOVELny pilot project/Statewide Internet Library. The purpose of the Initiative is to promote the use of digital technologies to broaden and enhance access to information available from local, regional, and New York State cultural education institutions.

More information about the Digital Collection Initiative is available online at http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/adviscns/rac/index.html

Please contact Lucretia McClure, Chairperson, New York State Regents Advisory Council on Libraries with any questions concerning the Council's 2008 report to the Board of Regents.

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