Creating the Future...Priority Recommendations; Results of the 2012 NYLA Conference

The Regents Advisory Council on Libraries presented a program during the 2012 NYLA Conference centered around Creating the Future implementation. Over 120 members of the library community attended this program. Attendees were separated into groups to discuss the plan's 60 recommendations by library type. Groups determinedthe following key recommendations, which will be given priority in implementation.

All Libraries

  • *RECOMMENDATION 1 – Improve the marketing of library services to all clientele and communities by rebranding libraries while addressing the erroneous perceptions about the need for libraries in a digital world.
  • RECOMMENDATION 2 – Develop better tools for advocacy, and identify library champions at all levels of governance: university and school boards, town and city management, State Education Department, Board of Regents, New York State Legislature and Executive branch.

School Libraries

  • RECOMMENDATION 10 – Adopt and implement a statewide information fluency curriculum framework, aligned with the New York State P-12 Common Core Learning Standards, which, through certified school librarians and a strong library program, will provide equitable access to information and digital literacy instruction and tools. Such a framework will further the schools’ ultimate goal of preparing students, beginning at the elementary level, with the literacy and digital skills and knowledge needed for career or college.
  • *RECOMMENDATION 11 – Expand the existing Commissioner’s Regulations (91.2) to require an elementary school librarian in every school to strengthen instructional leadership in meeting the P-12 Common Core Learning Standards, and enforce library staffing regulations in all public schools.

Academic Libraries

  • RECOMMENDATION 20 – The continuation and strengthening of collaborations with other communities in support of life-long learning, information literacy and research.
  • RECOMMENDATION 21 – Collaboration among all academic libraries in the development of print repositories designed to reduce redundancies within collections while maintaining high levels of access and stewardship.
  • *RECOMMENDATION 22 – Advancement of the primary role of academic librarians in fostering the integration of information literacy competencies into teaching and learning on their campuses to support student academic achievement and to prepare students for the global information economy that will shape their professional and personal lives.

Public Libraries

  • RECOMMENDATION 23 – The further proliferation of the Regents’ Public Library District Model to enable all public libraries to become fully funded and governed through citizen participation and public vote.
  • *RECOMMENDATION 27 – The provision of robust early childhood education programs and the provision of homework assistance as a core service; the alignment of outreach services with societal priorities, such as teen services and gang prevention.
  • RECOMMENDATION 29 – Investment in public library facilities in order to be able to respond to the changing needs of communities -- rewiring of older buildings, creation of larger meeting spaces and small meeting rooms, flexible storage solutions so that libraries can adjust as print to e-format ratios change and energy efficiency improvements to keep operating costs down.

Library Systems

  • *RECOMMENDATION 36 – Library systems to be at the forefront of training, professional development, technological innovation, outreach, marketing and branding, and other high-value services needed by member libraries.
  • RECOMMENDATION 39 – Library systems -- as with all libraries -- to anticipate and develop innovative and entrepreneurial services; and to discontinue out-of-date services when they no longer provide benefit to their members or the end-users.

State Library/SED/Board of Regents

  • *RECOMMENDATION 54 – Recognize the Board of Regents’ responsibility for its role as statewide library advocate, and avoid viewing library services only through the prism of P-12 education. Libraries and library systems of all types are essential to raise the knowledge, skill, and opportunity of all the people in New York.

Technology and the Information Marketplace

  • *RECOMMENDATION 55 – Address copyright, licensing, and digital rights management with one firm voice.
  • RECOMMENDATION 57 – Identify the current costs of e-resources from all public funds to best determine economies of shared acquisition and use across all schools, libraries, public universities, and state government agencies.

*Main Priority of section based on group vote or general group consensus

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Last Updated: May 25, 2021 -- sm