The Hearing, held by the Assembly Standing Committee on Libraries and Education Technology, is open to the public. In order to heighten awareness of the need to improve State funding for libraries, the Committee is holding a Public Hearing to provide a forum for writers to speak out about the importance of libraries in local communities. Writers, who utilize library materials and technologies as a vital part of their work, are particularly sensitive to the need for well-funded libraries. As technology capabilities and information access expand exponentially, libraries are continually challenged to meet the public demand for facilities, materials, space needs and improved access for the disabled.
Libraries play an important role in the educational, cultural and economic life of our state.
For many New Yorkers, the library is the primary contact with the literary world, an open door for children, students of all ages, immigrants, job seekers and business owners. And with public access computers, libraries provide the opportunity to gain access through the Internet to information around the world. The Assembly Standing Committee on Libraries and Education Technology has long supported libraries and the educational, cultural and economic roles they play in their communities. The Libraries and Educational Technology Committee develops and reviews legislation to enable New York's libraries to meet the challenges of the information age. Such initiatives will assist libraries in sustaining the infrastructure and staff resources necessary to allow all New Yorkers access to technological advances available through New York's vast library infrastructure.