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THE STATE
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234 |
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TO: |
Full Board |
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FROM: |
Carole F. Huxley |
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SUBJECT: |
Library Commission Report
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DATE: |
August 11, 2006
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STRATEGIC
GOAL: |
2, 3, 4 and 5
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AUTHORIZATION(S): |
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SUMMARY
Issue for Discussion
What is the status of
implementation of the ten recommendations of the Regents Commission on Library
Services and what changes are needed?
Proposed Handling
This item will come before the
full Board at the September meeting for discussion. The review will be completed in January
2007.
Procedural History
The New York State Board of
Regents appointed the Regents Commission on Library Services in 1998 and charged
its members with taking a visionary look at library service in New York State and developing a comprehensive set
of policy recommendations to improve library service for all New Yorkers.
For more than two years, the
Commission identified problems, discussed possible solutions, researched library
programs in other states, surveyed public opinion, and held hearings across the
state. The process culminated in a
detailed report that laid out ten recommendations intended to enable New Yorkers
to realize the benefits of a strong statewide network of libraries and library
systems in the 21st century.
The Regents unanimously adopted
the ten recommendations as Regents policy in July 2000. The Board subsequently designated the
recommendations as State Library priorities, and the recommendations became the
foundation for the Regents priority legislative proposal known as New Century
Libraries.
In 2004, the Regents reviewed the
Commission’s ten recommendations and the New Century Libraries proposal. NOVEL and public library construction
were identified as legislative priorities.
In June 2006, the Regents Cultural
Education Committee approved a plan to undertake a new review this year.
Background Information
In the New York State budget for 2006-07, libraries fared
better than in recent years. The
budget includes an increase of nearly $20 million in Library Aid: $2.7 million, based on the 2000 census
with hold-harmless to calculate aid; $3 million for the library systems; and $14
million for public library construction and renovation. Despite the progress made in obtaining
New Century Libraries funding this year, and the use of federal funds and grants
to implement some components of the program, the Regents have a long way to go
to achieve all the objectives set forth by the Regents Commission. It is now six years since the Commission
issued its final report, and it is time to reassess progress and consider the
Commission’s policies, strategies, and recommendations in the context of current
needs, research, data, opportunities, and USNY goals.
Recommendation
The Regents should discuss the
policy review plan and the status of implementation of the recommendations.
Timetable for Implementation
Implementation should begin
immediately with full Board discussion in September and completion in January
2007.
Attachment
Progress
and Challenges: Update
Purpose
of the Review:
To assess the progress made toward implementation of the following
10 recommendations set forth in the final report of the Regents Commission
on Library Services, and to consider the Commission’s policies, strategies, and
recommendations in the context of current needs, research, data, opportunities,
and USNY goals.
Recommendation
1:
Create NOVEL, the New
York Online Virtual Electronic Library, to deliver
high-quality, reliable digital information to all New
Yorkers
Where
we are: NOVEL
currently provides an online collection of
electronic
full-text magazines, newspapers, books, and encyclopedias through public,
academic, school, and special libraries. New Yorkers can also access NOVEL
remotely by using a New
York State
driver license. Currently, 5,253 libraries are using
NOVEL.
Use
of NOVEL is soaring and local awareness of the program is growing. The annual
number of NOVEL searches increased 1400 percent between 2001 and 2006 to
30 million.
Where
we need to be: We
need to catch up with other states, including
New Jersey, Illinois, Michigan,
Pennsylvania, and Texas,
in providing access to electronic library resources.
Nearly 1500 libraries in New
York State,
primarily school libraries, remain without access to
NOVEL.
NOVEL
is currently funded entirely by federal LSTA funds. If NOVEL is to deliver
access to the kinds of research and other online materials New Yorkers need, we
must find ways to stimulate ongoing, sustained state funding for the program.
Recommendation
2:
Ensure that all New York’s students are information literate by providing strong
school library media programs that include
appropriately certified professional staff, adequate resources, and
technology.
Where
we are:
Some school library collections have been automated with the help of federal
LSTA Database Development Incentive Program grants. Certification
requirements for school library media specialists have been strengthened to
ensure that New
York’s students benefit from qualified library
professionals.
Where
we need to be:
We need to improve student access to library resources and technology, including
NOVEL. Approximately 860 elementary schools still lack a certified school
library media specialist.
Recommendation
3:
Promote the availability of local public library service to all New Yorkers and
improve local support for public libraries through the formation of Public
Library Districts.
Where
we are: Since
1999, 27 new public library districts have been created. Local public library
service has been extended to 260,801 residents who previously had none.
Training
and expert consultation services have been provided to library directors and
trustees on creating public library districts, and a how-to guide and Public
Library District website have been developed. Further support was provided
through a partnership leading to creation of the New York Library Association
Public Library Districts Statewide Taskforce.
Where
we need to be: We
need to provide increased technical assistance and initiate incentive aid to
help high-need public libraries implement a public library district model.
Recommendation
4:
Promote equitable library services for all New Yorkers through a need-based
formula to reduce disparities in public library funding and create NY EXCELS to
promote service excellence in all types of libraries and library systems through
enabling and incentive aid.
Where
we are: The
2006–07 budget includes a $2.7 million increase in state library aid to
conform to the 2000 census with a hold-harmless provision and $3 million in new
funds for library systems.
Where
we need to be:
We need to help raise the level of service to a minimum standard recommended by
the Regents Commission and enable more equitable access statewide. In 2004,
public libraries received only $4.84 per capita in state funding compared with,
for example, $8.61 in Maryland, $6.87 in
Massachusetts, and $5.03 in Pennsylvania.
Recommendation
5:
Provide support for public library construction, expansion, and renovation to
ensure that New
York’s libraries are accessible to all library users and
can accommodate advances in technology.
Where
we are:
Libraries received a one-time increase in state aid of $14 million for public
library construction in FY 2006-07.
Where
we need to be: The
construction and renovation needs of the state’s 1100 public library buildings
are estimated at more than $1.7 billion. New York’s ongoing statewide funding for
library construction remains at only $800,000 per year.
Recommendation
6:
Improve the capacity of New
York’s urban public libraries to meet the unique needs
of diverse library users in underserved, densely populated communities.
Where
we are: In
the State Library’s Making It Real!
recruitment grant project, funded by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services,
sixty percent of the scholarship recipients are from diverse backgrounds.
Where
we need to be: We
need to assist libraries with the resources to expand branch library hours, and
to expand language programs, including collection development in world
languages, programming such as English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL),
and citizenship classes.
Recommendation
7:
Strengthen the ability of New
York’s libraries to help library users acquire basic
English literacy, information literacy, and computer literacy skills in their
communities.
Where
we are: The
New York State Library’s Statewide Summer Reading Program has grown from 172,000
participants in 1999 to well over one million children in 2005.
Where
we need to be:
The goal for the Statewide Summer Reading Program is 1.5 million participants.
The program continues to be funded entirely by federal LSTA funds. State funding
would enable the program’s expansion to meet its goal, and would enhance adult
collections and initiatives focused on English literacy and computer literacy.
Recommendation
8:
Enhance access to the specialized resources held by New York’s academic,
special, and research libraries to improve educational achievement, economic
development, and health care for all New Yorkers.
Where
we are: The
New York State Library has increased access to its collections; all New Yorkers
over 18 can now enjoy borrowing privileges at the State Research Library.
Where
we need to be:
We need to improve New Yorkers’ access to specialized electronic research and
development tools of value to scholars and researchers, and to medical
information programs for health-care professionals and consumers. State support
would stimulate existing collaborative efforts to increase access, and could
also make available the specialized
online business and technology resources essential for New York’s
competitiveness.
Recommendation
9:
Support and enhance a highly skilled library workforce to meet the information
needs of New Yorkers.
Where
we are: A
Librarians for the 21st Century recruitment grant is helping the State Library
to train librarian recruits in partnership with the state’s library schools and
library systems. A Library Careers Website and accompanying campaign promote
librarianship as a career choice to diverse groups.
Where
we need to be: We
should take steps to implement the certification and re-certification process to
promote excellence in the workforce, collaborate to enhance distance-learning
opportunities that will attract and retain librarians in urban areas, and
initiate a statewide training program for the state’s 7000 public library
trustees.
Recommendation
10:
Provide leadership for change by strengthening the expertise and accountability
of the New York
State Library and by
creating a statewide advocacy coalition.
Where
we are: A
series of New Century Libraries
Leadership Meetings with Commissioner Mills and leaders and supporters of the
library community have been held statewide. Statewide partnerships to promote
libraries have been developed.
Where
we need to be: We
should provide education programs that will generate library awareness and
support.
