Senate Bill S9647

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   9647
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                               May 16, 2024
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  CHU  --  read  twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
 
 AN ACT in relation to  conducting  a  study  to  evaluate  the  services
   provided  by public libraries, how the demand for services vary across
   library systems, and to evaluate if current funding  standards  equit-
   ably  meet  community  needs  across  the state; and providing for the
   repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  1.  There  shall  be  a  study conducted by the education
 department to evaluate the services provided by public  library  systems
 across the state.
   2. Such department, in consultation with the public library systems of
 the  state,  shall  assess and report on the services provided in public
 libraries and  the  variation  in  demand  of  services  within  library
 systems,  and  to  determine if the current funding standards defined in
 section 254  of  the  education  law  adequately  and  equitably  enable
 libraries  to  meet  community  needs across the state. Such study shall
 assess the types and frequency of services provided at public libraries,
 including but not limited to: digital  technology,  workforce  readiness
 and  career  services, life skills and adult educational programs, chil-
 dren and adolescent programs, and community  events.  Additionally,  the
 study  shall  assess  the  quality  and  capability of available library
 resources, including both printed and digital materials,  computers  and
 other technological tools, equipment and/or machinery.
   3.  For  the  purposes of this act, the following terms shall have the
 following meanings:
   (a) "public library" shall mean any  public  or  association  library,
 other  than  a  professional, technical or public school library, estab-
 lished for free public purposes by official action of a municipality  or
 district  or  the  legislature,  where the whole interests belong to the
 public;
   (b) "public library system" shall mean:
   (i) A library established by one or more counties;
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
              

                                                            LBD15529-01-4
 S. 9647                             2
 
   (ii) A group of libraries serving an area including one or more  coun-
 ties in whole or in part;
   (iii) A library of a city containing one or more counties; and
   (iv)  A cooperative library system established pursuant to section 255
 of the education law, the plan of library service of any of which  shall
 have been approved by the commissioner of education.
   4.  The  study  required  by this act shall be completed by January 1,
 2026.  The findings of such study shall be provided to the governor, the
 speaker of the assembly, the temporary  president  of  the  senate,  the
 chair  of the assembly libraries and education technology committee, and
 the chair of the senate committee on libraries.  The  findings  of  such
 study shall also be posted on the New York state library's website.
   §  2.  This  act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be
 deemed repealed January 1, 2026.