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New York Bill Would Double
Governor’s Library Budget

Two New York state legislators have introduced a proposal that would provide an additional $95 million to the state’s public and school libraries. The supplemental funding bill, announced March 7 by Assemblywoman Naomi Matusow (D-Westchester) and Sen. Hugh Farley (R-Schenectady), would more than double the library spending in Gov. George E. Pataki’s budget plan.

The bill would divide $80 million among the state’s 741 public libraries to hire librarians, renovate and construct facilities, and create a statewide online library, the Albany Times Union reported March 8. The funding would be need-based, with most going to poor and urban areas. The plan also gives school libraries $15 million to train staff, buy materials, and increase operating hours.

The bill grew out of recommendations from a commission on library services formed by the state Board of Regents in 1998. A major concern voiced by the commission was disparities that leave 1.3-million residents outside the service area of any library.

Posted March 12, 2001.

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