Good news from Albany

The Governor and Legislature have come to an agreement on the FY2016-17 New York State budget and there is some good news for libraries!

​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!

State aid for libraries - take action NOW!

Governor Cuomo's FY2016-17 Executive Budget has funding for libraries remaining flat at $91.6M.  We're asking for a 4.3% increase from last year's funding, which is the same percentage increase that he has proposed in the Education budget ($992M).  This increase would get NYS libraries closer to the full funding required by ED Law ($102.6M) which was last received in 2007.

Fill out this form to let your voice be heard.  (It takes about 30 seconds to do)

Check out the the full run-down of the NYLA's legislative priorities on their website.  The New York Library Association does an excellent job in lobbying on behalf of our libraries and letting us know what going on in Albany.  They also provide handy advocacy tools.