4 This Regents State aid legislative proposal provides State resources to move forward the Department's plan to further expand access for New Yorkers of all ages to electronic and print information through their library. The proposal will establish in law the formulas that will provide funding incentives to libraries and library systems to assure that electronic and print information is available and accessible from a safe, convenient, local library facility equipped with modern technology. Access to information is the cornerstone for building New Yorkers' knowledge and skills and opening doors to opportunities.
Libraries represent a common point of access to information for all.
36 of the 45 highest need school districts as identified by the Board of Regents do not have Internet access in their school libraries. People with disabilities cannot even get in the door of more than 130 public libraries that are not ADA compliant. Matching grants for construction, remodeling and retrofitting of public library and public library system buildings for modern technology and access for the disabled.