Seeking input on your vision for library services in NYS in the year 2020

If you read my NYLA Conference blog post, then you know that the Regents Advisory Council on Libraries is seeking input toward the development of a new statewide plan.  Below is an email from Bridget Quinn-Carey, chair of the Council, soliciting additional input. If you are a library worker in NYS, I hope you'll take a moment to respond.  It would be great to get a lot of input before the Council meets on Dec. 3.

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On Thursday, November 4, 2010, the “2020: What’s Your Vision for Library Services in New York State?” program was held at the New York Library Association Conference in Saratoga. The program was cosponsored by the Regents Advisory Council on Libraries, the Library Trustees Association of New York State, the New York Library Association, and the New York State Library.

This discussion was the first step toward developing a new statewide plan for improving library services for all New Yorkers.  The last statewide plan for library services was adopted by the Board of Regents as statewide policy for libraries in 2000.

Session attendees had the opportunity to hear from the following library leaders:

• Bridget Quinn-Carey, Chair, Regents Advisory Council on Libraries
• Roberta Stevens, President, American Library Association
• Kathy Miller, President, New York Library Association
• Jeffrey W. Cannell, Deputy Commissioner for the Office of Cultural Education

Attendees then had the opportunity to share their thoughts, ideas, and concerns about library services in the future in small group discussions based on the following questions:

·        What services will New Yorkers expect from their academic, public, school, and special libraries in 2020?

·        What strategies will best position library organizations to deliver those services?

·        What role should the State play in serving libraries and New Yorkers more effectively?

Flip chart notes from the groups are now available at: 

http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/adviscns/rac/2020.htm

If you would like to contribute to this statewide discussion, please fill out the worksheet at http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/adviscns/rac/wksheet.pdf and send it to either the address listed on the second page or email it to NYSLRegComments@mail.nysed.gov.  Any questions about this program or the discussion toward developing a new statewide plan can be sent to this email address as well.