Funding

 

FY 2020-21 - $94.1M for State Library Aid and $14M for State Library Construction Aid                *COVID 19 pandemic

FY2019-20 - $96.6M for State Library Aid and $34M for State Library Construction Aid

FY2018-19 - $96.6M for State Library Aid and $34M for State Library Construction Aid

FY2017-18 - $95.6M for State Library Aid, a $4 million increase over what Governor Cuomo proposed in his Executive Budget. The $4 million dollar add places matches the highest total appropriation for State Library Aid since FY2008-09.State Library Construction Aid will be $24M, a $10M increase over the Governor’s budget proposal.

FY2016-17 - $102.6 million in Ed. Law. Appropriation of $95.627 million on April 1, 2016 (includes $91.627 million plus additional legislative appropriation of $4 million). Article 7 provided for across the board reductions of 6.4% after application of hold harmless provisions. Overall, a 4.3% increase from the 2015/2016 appropriation. $95.627 million does not include the additional $1.3 million legislative appropriation for MTA payroll tax offset for libraries.

FY2015-16 – Governor Cuomo left the previous year’s enacted budget figure in place ($86.6M) and through carefully coordinated advocacy efforts, $5M was added to Library Aid for a new total of $91.627M.  Also included in the budget process was a permanent exemption for libraries and library systems from the MTA payroll tax, and a final year’s reimbursement to those who has been impacted the previous year ($1.3M).

FY2014-15 – Governor Cuomo broke with tradition and did not include the previous year’s additional funding from the Legislature in his Executive Budget, (which had resulted in the $85.6 enacted number,), but rather reverted to the previous year’s Executive Budget.  This amounted to a 4% cut in Library Aid.  Through diligent advocacy, the Legislature (lead by the Senate Republicans) added $5M with resulted in a FY14-15 enacted budget total of $86.627M.

FY2013-14 saw continued success, with a 4.88% increase in Library Aid to $85.627M, as well as the continuation of the $1.3 MTA rebate.

The following year, FY2012-13, saw a 3.28% increase in Library Aid to $81.6M, plus a $1.3M refund to those libraries that were subjected to the MTA Payroll Tax.

During NYS Fiscal Year 2011-12 Library Aid was cut to an 18 year low of $79M.

Since 2011 the efforts of NYS’s library community, and their advocacy efforts, has resulted in $12.627M of additional Library Aid funding.  This represents over a 13% increase.

Additionally, $5.2M has been returned to libraries impacted by the MTA Payroll Tax, and in 2015 libraries and library systems were permanently exempted.

 

Policy

 

During each Legislative Session, NYLA and the advocates of the library community have been successful in moving bills through the legislative process.  The following bills have been signed into law:

2020

Chapter 50	State Operations Budget Bill: includes an appropriation of $693,000 in state operations funds for the New York State Library for Conservation/Preservation and the Talking Book and Braille Library. Signed by the Governor, 4/15/20
Chapter 53	Local Assistance Bill: includes an appropriation of $94.127 million for Library Aid in local assistance funds. Signed by Governor, 4/15/20
Chapter 54	Capital Projects Budget Bill: includes an appropriation of $14 million in capital funds for the State Aid for Library Construction Program (Education Law 273- a). Signed by Governor, 4/15/20
Chapter 120	Construction Extension Bill: Provides an additional twelve months for libraries with active projects under the Division of Library Development, to complete construction. Signed by the Governor, 6/17/20

2019

Chapter 53	Local Assistance Bill: includes an appropriation of $96.627 million for Library Aid in local assistance funds. Signed by Governor, 4/12/19
Chapter 59	Revenue Bill: includes article VII language for the State support of libraries in that no library, library system or program shall receive less total system or program aid than it received in the year 2001-2002, except as a result of necessary reduction adjustments. Signed by Governor, 4/12/19
Chapter 50	State Operations Budget Bill: includes an appropriation of $693,000 in state operations funds for the New York State Library for Conservation/Preservation and the Talking Book and Braille Library and $350,000 in state operations funds for the State University of New York for the Conservation/Preservation Statutory Aid Program. Signed by Governor, 4/12/19
Chapter 54	Capital Projects Budget Bill: includes an appropriation of $14 million in capital funds for the State Aid for Library Construction Program (Education Law 273- a). Signed by Governor, 4/12/19

 

2018

Chapter 54	Capital Projects Budget Bill: includes an appropriation of $96.627 million in Library Aid local assistance funds and an appropriation of $34 million in capital funds for the State Aid for Library Construction Program (Education Law 273- a). Signed by Governor, 4/12/18
Chapter 59	Revenue Bill:includes article VII language for the State support of libraries in that no library, library system or program shall receive less total system or program aid than it received in the year 2001-2002, except as a result of necessary reduction adjustments. Signed by Governor, 4/12/18
Chapter 50	State Operations Budget Bill:includes an appropriation of $693,000 in state operations funds for the New York State Library for Conservation /Preservation and the Talking Book and Braille Library and $350,000 in state operations funds for the State University of New York for the Conservation /Preservation Statutory Aid Program. Signed by Governor, 4/12/18
Chapter 420	Amends public health law to prohibit smoking within 100 feet of the entrances, exits or outdoor areas of any public or association library, with some limited exceptions. This law takes effect June 19, 2019. Signed by Governor, 12/21/18

 

2017

Chapter 346

An act relating to studying the economic impact of public libraries and public library systems in New York state. Relates to the Empire State Development Corporation conducting a study, at least once every five years, on the economic impact of public libraries and public library systems in New York state. Signed by the Governor 10/23/2017

Chapter 174

Love Your Library Fund: An Act to amend the tax law and the state finance law in relation to the Love Your Library Fund. Allows for a gift to the Love Your Library Fund on corporate and personal income tax return forms. These funds will help support public library summer reading programs. The funds will be disseminated to public library systems in accordance with the provisions of Education Law 273 (10) State Aid for Summer Reading Programs. Signed by Governor, 8/21/17

 

2016

Chapter 68

Amends Public Health Law and Education Law in relation to authorizing the use of opioid antagonists by public libraries for opioid overdose prevention. Signed by the Governor 6/23/2016

 

2015

Chapter 59	Article 7 Legislation Language - Revenue Budget: Amends Chapter 56 of the Laws of 2011 to include all public library systems, and public and free association libraries as institutions which are exempt from the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation Mobility Tax (MTA) effective January 1, 2016. Signed by the Governor, 4/13/15
Chapter 459	Directs the State Education Department to conduct a study of, and develop a comprehensive plan for, increasing access to and lending of electronic books in public libraries and public library systems by June 1, 2016. Signed by the Governor, 11/20/15
Chapter 480	Amends Education Law 273-a to make the installation and infrastructure of broadband services an approved project cost under the State Aid for Library Construction program. Signed by the Governor, 11/20/15

 

2014

Chapter 287

Amends Education Law 272 to provide increased flexibility in the granting of a waiver in relation to maintenance of effort provisions for state aid to public library systems and central libraries. Signed by Governor, 8/11/14

 

2013

Chapter 247	Allows public libraries and schools to enter into partnerships to make library card applications and library information available to students.  Signed by Governor, 7/31/13
Chapter 181	Allows boards of cooperative educational services to enter into contracts with public libraries for high speed telecommunications services.  Signed by Governor, 7/31/13

 

2012

Chapter 422

Amends Education Law section 1950 to authorize BOCES and public libraries to enter into contracts for any available services.  Signed by Governor, 8/17/2012