New York State Library

Division of Library Development

New York's Public Libraries Meet Minimum Standards

This information in .PDF format

A single set of basic standards that assures equivalent levels of access to public library services and resources is imperative in order to meet the informational and educational needs of all New York State residents. — Committee on Minimum Public Library Standards Report, 1988
All public and association libraries in New York State must meet 11 minimum standards of service. The standards support improved library services for the people of New York by helping libraries:

Developed by a 1988 statewide Committee on Minimum Public Library Standards, the standards were adopted by the Board of Regents as Section 90.2 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education.

Communities applying for a library charter or registration must meet all of the minimum standards at the time of application. Education Law requires that a library be chartered and registered to receive local and State public funds.

The New York State Library is committed to improving public library services and works with libraries, library systems, library associations, trustees and other library advocates to help assure New York's public libraries meet the minimum standards.

[Click on the chart at right to see it full-size; or download a .PDF of the chart]

Chart showing progress of public libraries towards meeting minimum standards; click on the chart to see it full-size or see comparison chart text below for more information.

2004 NEW YORK STATE PUBLIC AND ASSOCIATION LIBRARIES
AND PUBLIC LIBRARY STANDARDS
Comparison Chart

Minimum
Public Library Standards
Effective January 1999

2005 Libraries Responding [1]

Change from 2004 to 2005

Change from 1987 to 2005

2005
Percentage
of Libraries
Meeting
Minimum
Standard

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

1. Bylaws

754

0

1

754

100.0%

2. Plan

754

0

5

754

100.0%

3. Community Report

754

0

3

754

100.0%

4. Policies

754

0

2

754

100.0%

5. Budget

754

0

1

754

100.0%

6. Measures Collection

754

0

2

754

100.0%

7. Hours Open

745

9

-2

233

98.8%

8. Facilities

    a. space

740

14

5

740

98.1%

    b. lighting

748

6

4

748

99.2%

    c. shelving

742

12

5

742

98.4%

    d. seating

742

12

5

742

98.4%

    e. restroom

747

7

2

93

99.1%

9. Equipment

    a. telephone

754

0

2

38

100.0%

    b. photocopier

754

0

2

147

100.0%

    c. microcomputer or terminal

754

0

2

322

100.0%

    d. printer

754

0

2

365

100.0%

    e. facsimile capability

754

0

2

754

100.0%

10. Printed Information

754

0

2

754

100.0%

11. Paid Director meeting CR 90.8

749

5

1

749

99.3%

[1] Total of 753 public and association libraries in 2004.

Standards as approved by the Board of Regents, Commissioner's Regulations 90.2 effective 1/29/99.

What if a Library Cannot Meet Minimum Standards?

If a library cannot meet one or more of the Minimum Standards, the director or board president should contact its library system to discuss available options. Education Law and Commissioner's Regulations provide a process for libraries that cannot meet a particular standard because of circumstances beyond the library board's control.

How are Public Library Systems and the State Library Helping Libraries Meet the Challenge?

The Public Library System Directors Organization (PULISDO) and the New York State Library continue to work together in a strong partnership to help public and association libraries meet the minimum standards. See Helpful Information for Meeting Minimum Public Library Standards for further information.

Background on Minimum Public Library Standards in New York State

The New York State Library worked extensively with public library system leaders, librarians, trustees and other interested stakeholders for the better part of a decade to update New York's 1950 public library standards. The Regents endorsed five nonmonetary standards in 1989, but postponed adopting others until the Local Library Services Aid program was put in place during 1993. On December 17, 1993, the New York State Board of Regents adopted amendments to Section 90.2 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education related to standards for registration of public, free association and Indian libraries. The regulations became effective on February 4, 1994. On December 11, 1998, the Board of Regents again amended Section 90.2 to change wording to better accommodate new technologies. The amended regulations became effective on January 29, 1999. As of January 1, 1999, all public and association libraries in New York State must meet the eleven public library standards for registration.

For more information on Minimum Standards for New York's public libraries, contact your public library system or contact:

Office of the State Librarian and Asssitant Commissioner for Libraries
Room 10C34 Cultural Education Center, Albany, NY 12230-0001
Phone: (518) 474-5930 • Fax: (518) 486-6880 • E-mail: ppaolucc@mail.nysed.gov

See also Helpful Information for Meeting Minimum Public Library Standards

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