Larkin Bill To Link Boces And Libraries For Shared Internet Services Passes Senate

Legislation that Senator Bill Larkin (R-C, Cornwall-on-Hudson) introduced earlier this year to allow local libraries to access high-speed Internet services from Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) has passed the State Senate.

The bill (S.2082) would give any BOCES the ability to contract with individual libraries or library systems and provide high-speed Internet services or community relations services to the libraries at a reduced cost for both.

"Most BOCES have invested a significant amount of money in developing their own high-speed Internet network, while public libraries on the other hand, have often not had the funds to create their own system," said Senator Larkin. "Since they both have the need for the Internet, why not allow them to share this technology? But, current law doesn’t allow them to do this. I am pleased the Senate has passed this bill and I hope the Assembly will do the same. It would be a great help to our local libraries."

In addition, the Larkin bill would allow BOCES to share its community relations resources with libraries so that they could more effectively publicize the services available at public libraries for students and the public.

The bill was sent to the Assembly.