Governor's Actions on library bills

From Michael J. Borges
Executive Director
New York Library Association


Dear Library Advocate,

I have both good and bad news to report on our Legislative Priorities.

The Governor signed legislation (S.3903 Oppenheimer/A.6154 Paulin) that will allow libraries and library systems to go out to bid jointly for products and services, i.e. a library system could go out to bid for landscaping services or auditing services for all its member libraries without each library having to do so. This bill takes effect immediately.

The Governor did veto legislation (S.7551 Oppenheimer/A.7253 Galef) that would have allowed taxpayers to make a contribution on their personal and corporate tax forms to the “Love Your Library Fund” which was established in 2004 to support the statewide summer reading program. We will be working on a alternative next year that will hopefully address any concerns raised in the veto message.

I also urge you all again to send a message to your state legislators urging them to return to Albany as quickly as possible to pass the Education, Labor and Family Assistance (ELFA) Article VII bill that will allow for the timely and fair distribution of Library Aid as well as to pass legislation that would allow the state to accept and spend the federal stimulus funds for school districts.

Go hereto send a fax or email now.