Library Law and Regulations

State Operations Budget Bill: includes an appropriation of $1 million in state operations funds for the New York State Library for Conservation/Preservation and the Talking Book and Braille Library and $3 million in state operations funds for the services and expenses of the New York online virtual electronic library (NOVEL-ny). Signed by Governor, 05/01/2024

Aid to Localities Budget Bill: Provides $102,127,000 in local assistance appropriation, plus an additional $400,000 to the New York Public Library for the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, $167,000 to the Queens Borough Public Library for the Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center, and $500,000 to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Program. Signed by the Governor, 05/01/2024

Capital Projects Budget Bill: includes an appropriation of $44 million in capital funds for the State Aid for Library Construction Program. Signed by Governor, 05/01/2024

The Local Government Efficiency Grant Program, starting in the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2024, defines “municipality” to include public libraries, association libraries and public library systems. Signed by Governor, 04/20/2024

The funds allocated for public and association libraries in the 2024 aid to localities budget will be distributed according to specific provisions of the Education Law, with certain adjustments for library construction aid. No library, library system or program shall receive less total aid than in the 2001-2002 fiscal year, unless required by a reduction to match the appropriated funds. Signed by the Governor, 04/20/2024

Expands state aid eligibility for library construction for public and association libraries that are located in economically disadvantaged communities. Signed by Governor, 08/29/2024

State Operations Budget Bill: includes an appropriation of $713,000 in state operations funds for the New York State Library for Conservation/Preservation and the Talking Book and Braille Library and $350,000 in state operations funds for the State University of New York for the Conservation/Preservation Statutory Aid Program. Signed by Governor, 5/12/23.

Aid to Localities Budget Bill: Provides a local assistance appropriation for 2023-2024 Library Aid of $99,627,000, plus an additional $176,000 appropriation for Love Your Library Special Revenue for Summer Reading (Education Law 273(9), and $250,000 in Local Assistance funds to The New York Public Library for the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and $75,000 to the Queens Borough Public Library for the Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center. Signed by Governor, 5/12/23.

Capital Projects Budget Bill: includes an appropriation of $34 million in capital funds for the State Aid for Library Construction Program (Education Law 273- a). Signed by Governor 5/12/23.

Education, Labor and Family Assistance Bill: includes article VII language for the State support of libraries in that no library, library system or program shall receive less total system or program aid than it received in the year 2001-2002, except as a result of necessary reduction adjustments.

Also, amendment to section 273-a of NYS Education Law to extend through March 31, 2026 the provisions that libraries serving economically disadvantaged communities may be funded up to seventy-five percent of eligible project costs. Signed by Governor, 5/3/2023.

Ballston Community Public Library Special District- updates to the Ballston Community Public Library’s special legislative charter. Signed by the Governor, 8/23/23.

Amends Education Law- to include school library materials as all audio/visual and printed materials, and now includes those in digital format. Signed by the Governor, 10/25/23.

Relates to changing the time for calculating amounts for awards of grants to support preservation and/or conservation of library research materials from being calculated for each state fiscal year, to each academic year. Signed by the Governor, 10/25/23.

Municipal Ballot Petition Reduction. Updates the number of required signatures for libraries requesting funding through the municipal ballot route to 25 signatures, as is the requirement for libraries going through the school district ballot route. Signed by the Governor, 10/25/23.

Extends provisions of law authorizing political subdivisions to permit any public body to hold meetings remotely and without in-person access during the COVID-19 state disaster emergency. Signed by Governor, 1/14/2022.

State Operations Budget Bill: includes an appropriation of $713,000 in state operations funds for the New York State Library for Conservation/Preservation and the Talking Book and Braille Library and $350,000 in state operations funds for the State University of New York for the Conservation/Preservation Statutory Aid Program. Signed by Governor, 4/21/22.

Aid to Localities Budget bill: Provides a local assistance appropriation for 2022-2023 Library Aid of $99,627,000, plus additional $150,000 appropriation for Love Your Library Special Revenue for Summer Reading (Education Law 273(9)). Signed by Governor, 4/21/22.

Capital Projects Budget bill: includes an appropriation of $34 million in capital funds for the State Aid for Library Construction Program (Education Law 273- a). Signed by Governor, 4/21/22.

Education, Labor and Family Assistance Bill: includes article VII language for the State support of libraries in that no library, library system or program shall receive less total system or program aid than it received in the year 2001-2002, except as a result of necessary reduction adjustments. Signed by Governor, 4/9/22.

Provides that state aid for library construction shall be provided on approved expenses incurred during the period commencing July first and ending June thirtieth for up to six years, or until the project is completed, whichever occurs first. Signed by Governor, 6/30/22.

Relates to requiring publishers to offer licenses for electronic books to libraries under reasonable terms. Vetoed by Governor, 12/29/2021.

State Operations Budget Bill: includes an appropriation of $693,000 in state operations funds for the New York State Library for Conservation/Preservation and the Talking Book and Braille Library and $350,000 in state operations funds for the State University of New York for the Conservation/Preservation Statutory Aid Program. Signed by Governor, 4/19/2021.

Aid to Localities Bill: includes an appropriation of $94.127 million for Library Aid in local assistance funds. In addition, an appropriation of $15 million in federal funds is provided for digital inclusion programs. Signed by Governor, 4/19/2021.

Capital Projects Budget Bill: includes an appropriation of $34 million in capital funds for the State Aid for Library Construction Program (Education Law 273-a). Signed by Governor, 4/19/2021.

Education, Labor and Family Assistance Bill: includes article VII language for the State support of libraries in that no library, library system or program shall receive less total system or program aid than it received in the year 2001-2002, except as a result of necessary reduction adjustments. Signed by Governor, 4/16/2021.