Facts About New York’s
Statewide Internet Library

• The Statewide Internet Library provides New Yorkers quality health, science and business information and publications not freely available on the Internet.
• The Statewide Internet Library, now a pilot project called NOVELNY, uses temporary federal funds.  
• New Yorkers can access the Statewide Internet Library from a computer or at their library with a library card, a valid New York State Driver License, or a Department of Motor Vehicles non-driver ID.
• Use of the Statewide Internet Library soared almost 1300% between 2001 and 2007 to more than 25 million searches a year. 
• Each dollar invested in the Statewide Internet Library would cost local schools or public libraries $35 to buy the same resources.
• The average school library has 25 magazine subscriptions. The Statewide Internet Library provides access to hundreds of periodicals and thousands of other age-appropriate research resources and e-books.
• New York students, universities, and businesses will have a state-of-the-art, reliable source of online information.
• New York provides NO STATE SUPPORT for an online library, unlike 34 states such as New Jersey, Virginia, Ohio, Alabama, and North Carolina.
• The Regents propose ongoing, permanent state support for a Statewide Internet Library.

The Statewide Internet Library pilot project can be accessed on the New York State Library website: http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/. Click on “NOVELNY.”

To learn more about the Statewide Internet Library contact: Janet M. Welch, New York State Librarian and Assistant Commissioner for Libraries,
Phone: (518) 474-5930 Fax: (518) 486-6880
Email jwelch2@mail.nysed.gov