NYLA believes strongly that library services are essential to citizens in a free society, and that they require continued strong support by New York State. It is time to look beyond Chapter 917, but without abandoning the many priorities embedded in this legislation which remain valuable to New York's libraries and their millions of users. The following draft action plan combines new initiatives and programs with valuable existing ones to create a comprehensive new plan for New York's libraries at the beginning of the new millennium. As New York's only statewide library association representing libraries of all types, and including librarians and library assistants, trustees, and a broad range of library supporters in all walks of life, the New York Library Association is uniquely qualified to represent the interests, values, and priorities of the field. Chapter 917 provides a basic stable platform from which to develop a more comprehensive plan taking into account new priorities which have emerged for libraries during the past 8 years.
Goals I. Maintain the infrastructure of support services to libraries and their users.
Provide incentives to localities to build or rebuild their library or system headquarters' physical plants. Enhance and maintain library collections and make them available to all New Yorkers. System formulas to be simplified. School library systems will be able to sustain critical support services for their member school libraries across NY State. System formulas to be modified.