New York State Library

Thank you for visiting the revised School Library Systems Program section!

The pages in this section have been revised to support accessibility and improve navigation. We hope that these changes serve to guide users to important information regarding NYS Library services to New York’s school library systems.

Please take some time to check out the revisions. You can let us know what you think about these changes by sending a message to nysldigital@nysed.gov.

School Library Systems

Overview

Established in 1984, the School Library Systems (SLS) program provides support for public and nonpublic school library media centers across the state. School library systems are city school districts (New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Yonkers) or organizations of school districts and nonpublic schools that work with a board of cooperative educational services (BOCES). Main functions of the program are outlined in Commissioner's Regulations 90.18.

New York State’s 40 school library systems are consortia designed to support the school library programs of member public school districts and nonpublic schools. School library systems provide services and programs that support the learning process of students and promote increased student achievement through the use of quality information sources. These systems serve students, school librarians, other faculty, and administrators in public school districts and nonpublic schools.

Library System Plan of Service

The system Plan of Service is a planning document which identifies, organizes, and provides an overview of the library system’s service program including intended changes in services or priorities.

SLS Funding and Fiscal Guidelines

Resources to assist School Library Systems in providing cost-effective delivery of programs and services. Includes SLS Fiscal Guidelines, Merger and Cross-Contract Guidelines, and information on State Aid to School Library Systems.

SLS Staffing and Leadership Guidelines

Access SLS Director Appointment Procedures and Council Responsibilities.

School Library Systems in NYS

View a list and corresponding statewide map of all 40 School Library Systems in New York State and contact your DLD system liaison.

Last Updated: January 11, 2024