Facts and Figures 2008

• The New York State Library is the largest state library in the nation.
• The Library filled 14,822 interlibrary loan requests from libraries throughout the state in the first six months of 2008.
• TBBL serves over 38,000 New Yorkers in 55 upstate counties, providing Braille and recorded books and magazines, and the necessary equipment to enjoy them.
• During the first seven months of 2008 alone, TBBL circulated about 233,000 Braille and cassette items to users.
• Total number of online databases – 120, including additions in 2008 of PsycBooks, PsycArticles, and Springer Protocols.
• The Library has a total of 19,600 full-text e-journals and newspapers.
• There were over 10 million virtual visits to the Library's web site during the 2007-2008 fiscal year. 
• 106,330 pages of current and historic material have been digitally scanned to date.
• Total number of e-books – 4,790, including 191 new e-books added in 2008 from e-book subject collections available through Elsevier ScienceDirect and Wiley InterScience.

The Research Library operated on a budget of approximately $13 million, including State and Federal monies. The Research Library’s income source is the Cultural Education Account, which is based upon fees charged at the county level. While this fund fluctuates year to year, it contributed approximately $9 million in 2008 to Research Library personnel and operating expenses. The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) provided $3 million in federal support for Research Library staff and operations in 2008. Another $1 million comes from State General Funds.

New York State Library
Borrower’s Card

All New Yorkers 18 and older can borrow directly from the New York State Research Library’s circulating collection.  The New York State Library offers a powerhouse of information, with a research collection of more than 20 million items including major holdings in law, medicine, the social sciences, education, American and New York State history and culture, and the pure sciences and technology.  A borrower’s card also provides direct access to NOVELNY. For information on how to apply, go to  http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/apply.htm.

Contact Us:

• For information about the New York State Research Library go to www.nysl.nysed.gov and point to ‘Research Library.’
• For information about Library collections, call the Reference Desk at 518- 474-5355 or email  using the form at www.forms2.nysed.gov/nysl/refserv.cfm
• For information on a New York State Library Borrower’s Card, go to www.nysl.nysed.gov/apply.htm or email to circ@mail.nysed.gov.
• To access NOVELNY, the pilot project for the Statewide Internet Library, go to www.novelnewyork.org.
• For information about Manuscripts and Special Collections, call 518-474-6282  or email mscolls@mail.nysed.gov.
• Talking Book and Braille Library: tbbl@mail.nysed.gov
  
  Schools and Youth Services Only:   tbblkids@mail.nysed.gov
  Local Calls:   (518) 474-5935  (for calls from Capital District area)
  Toll Free:   (800) 342-3688  (for non-local or after-hours calls)
• For further information on training or to schedule a class call 518-474-2274 or email one of the following: swein@mail.nysed.gov, ormbobish@mail.nysed.gov.
• For information about Library Development go to www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/.