New York State Library

Registering a Public or Association Library in New York State

Step One - Preparing an Application for Registration

The first step is to contact your public library system director. Public library system staff will assist a library in the preparation of the Application for Registration and upon completion, will then submit the Library’s Board-approved Application to the State Library for review and approval.

Registration (licensing) of public and association libraries is required by CR 90.1 and CR 90.2 in New York State. Through the registration process a library demonstrates its compliance with Minimum Standards for Public Libraries. Once registered through the New York State Library, State Education Department, a public or association library may legally accept local and state public funds.

Libraries are registered following Regents incorporation by charter. Once registered, each library provides an annual assurance that minimum standards are met through the annual report to the New York State Library.

Application for Library Registration

See also: CR 90.1, CR 90.2, CR 90.8

Please submit the completed "Application for Library Registration" by e-mail to your public library system director. After the public library system reviews the application the system director will submit it to the State Library via email. The system director and the Library’s contact person will receive confirmation from the State Library upon receipt of the application.

Questions about the application or registration process may be sent to LIBRARYREGISTRATION@nysed.gov

For Further Information

Last Updated: March 1, 2023