State Library Aid will see a $4M increase for a total of $95.6M. This represents a 4.3% increase which is equivalent to the increase in education aid and is the most library aid included in any state budget since FY2008-09. This gets us closer to full funding for libraries ($102.7M) which we haven't seen since 2007.
State Construction Aid for libraries was increased by $5M for a total of $19M. This represents a 35% increase, a first in nearly a decade. Specifically for NCLS, this increase amounts to a total of $548,000 (up from $406,000) available for our libraries for constructions projects. This increase will enable more of our libraries to make much needed improvements to their buildings.
These increases in State support were not possible without the advocacy efforts from NYLA our member library people. You're letters, phone calls and visits to our local Legislators have paid off. Thank you for all of your hard work in speaking up for our libraries!
