NYS LIBRARY ADVOCATES TO HOLD LEGISLATURE MORE ACCOUNTABLE

More than ever, state legislators need to show the library community they mean business.  A state library advocacy committee is ramping up efforts and looking toward a renewed spirit of accountability and focus in the next legislative session.

By Ove Overmyer

CSEA President, City of Rochester Library Workers Local 828 Unit 7420

Rochester, N.Y. -- The New Yorkers for Better Libraries Political Action Committee (NYLIBS-PAC) was established in 2003 by library leaders who believe that there is a need to supplement the library community’s advocacy efforts with campaign contributions and other activities directed toward those in Albany who can legislate progressive and positive change.  Thousands of library workers throughout New York State are CSEA and AFSCME members.

Library advocates are extremely disappointed that libraries have received four cuts in state aid in the past 21 months, with a fifth cut hanging in the balance. These reductions have sent state aid for libraries back to the same level received in 1998 and underscores how woefully dysfunctional our legislature is.

We understand that New York State is experiencing budget woes and are aware that many vital services must sustain cuts. However, there has to be some equity in this process: libraries have been cut disproportionately when compared to other state services. The state budget has increased by 82% over the past ten years. Libraries have never benefited from the increase in spending. In the past six years, school aid has increased by 47% and aid to municipalities has increased by 62%, but library aid has reverted to the dollar amount received a dozen years ago. That is simply unacceptable.

State aid for our library systems serve all types of libraries and are the backbone for the collaborative efforts and resource sharing programs that make our libraries distinct and unique from others across the nation. Additionally, libraries remain one of the most cost-effective, “return on your investment” services available to the taxpayers of New York State.

NYLIBS-PAC has determined that there is a need for greater accountability concerning state legislators’ actions on issues of importance to the library community and to the millions of library users and voters throughout the state.

Effective this upcoming legislative session, the NYLIBS-PAC will begin to track library-related state legislation and will publish a report card/voters guide concerning each state legislator’s degree of support for libraries. Sponsorship and co-sponsorship of legislation, votes on library legislation and funding will be the primary indicators that the PAC will assess. This report card will benefit from a marketing campaign unlike any other in the library community.

Library advocates look forward to the new legislative session to address the needs of New York’s libraries and hold public officials accountable. For more information on our advocacy efforts, please visit New Yorkers for Better Libraries here.