Library Service in the New Century

Along with its traditional role as a place for books and information, the library has become the portal to the digital universe. New York's libraries of the 21st century must be fully equipped to deliver benefits of information technology and convey the lessons of our past. As we begin the new century, too many New Yorkers are in danger of being excluded from the Information Age. 		Cover of the printed version.

The New York State Board of Regents has a plan to transform library services to give all New Yorkers a competitive edge in the new century.

Informed by the Report of the Regents Commission on Library Services, this plan

  • offers New Yorkers unprecedented educational and economic opportunities.
  • provides residents of every New York Community with equitable access to quality library services.
  • helps libraries evolve into portals to accurate, organized digital information.
  • moves libraries into a central role in strengthening the academic achievement of those students without home access to computer resources.

What You Can Do To Make This Plan a Reality:

Read the Report of the Regents Commission on Library Services and learn about the 2002 Regents Budget and Legislative Initiative for libraries.

Share this information with your community and government leaders:

  • Libraries are important to the education, community, and economy of New York State
  • The Regents plan for library service in the 21st Century will benefit all New Yorkers and give them a competitive edge.
  • Libraries can help bridge the achievement gap between those with easy access to information sources and those left out of the electronic revolution.

To learn more about the Regents' recommendations to improve library service for all New Yorkers and how they can become a reality:

Visit the web site for the Regents Commission on Library Services

Call (518) 474-5930 to request:

  • copies of the Commission's 60-page report, Meeting the Needs of All New Yorkers: Library Service in the New Century.
  • copies of a 16-page booklet New York's Libraries: Meeting the Needs of the New Century.
  • information about the latest budget/legislative initiative to begin implementation of the Commission's recommendations.

Please share this information with community leaders, public officials and all who have a stake in the educational and economic future of New York State. Tell them how libraries can help bridge the digital divide and provide New Yorkers with the skills they need to succeed in the new century.

The Regents Commission on Library Services, a group of prominent citizens and library leaders, was appointed in June 1998 by the New York State Board of Regents to study library services and develop a plan for improving library services for all New Yorkers in the new century. The Board of Regents unanimously approved the Commission's final recommendations in July 2000 and pledged to work to make them a reality.


Last modified: August 30, 2002 -- dvm
Last reviewed: October 30, 2000 -- asm

Last Updated: July 20, 2011