Addabbo Legislation to Make Queens Borough Public Library and Other Library Systems Eligible for Efficiency Grants Approved by State Senate

Queens, NY (June 15, 2015): Under legislation (S.3209) recently approved by the State Senate and sponsored by NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., the Queens Borough Public Library and other public library systems throughout New York State would become eligible to participate in the state’s Local Government Efficiency (LGE) Grants program – an initiative that encourages local governments and other entities to explore cooperative projects aimed at improving services and achieving government savings. 

“When this program was created, public libraries and association libraries were included among the organizations eligible to apply for LGE grants, but public library systems were inexplicably left out,” said Addabbo, noting that all three library entities are structured differently.  “My bill simply offers the Queens Borough Public Library and the many other public library systems throughout New York a chance to pursue state funding to help them develop innovative new methods to better serve the public while reducing costs.”  Under current law, in addition to public libraries and association libraries, counties, cities, towns, villages, fire districts, special improvement districts and several other municipal entities are included in the LGE grant program.

“The Queens Borough Public Library is an exceptional asset to everyone in our community, serving 2.3 million people in many invaluable ways in 62 locations,” said Addabbo, a member of the State Senate Select Committee on Libraries.  “Giving New York’s library systems access to potential new funding opportunities is another way to ensure that libraries in Queens and elsewhere are able to explore more efficient and cost-effective avenues to providing even greater services for area individuals and families.”

The legislation is now under review by the Assembly Committee on Libraries and Education Technology.

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