The New York Library Initiative

Libraries fueling literacy, learning, innovation and growth

Trustee Training

The New York Library Initiative would provide new funds to strengthen training and support programs for governing boards and trustees of New York’s cultural institutions in their work to improve student achievement and to deliver local library services that meet community needs.

Background

· New York’s public libraries and library systems receive $1 billion each year in local, state and federal public funding.

· Some 7,000 library and library system trustees in New York State are responsible for governing 755 local public libraries and 23 library systems with 1,100 facilities.

· Library trustees are required by law to be good stewards of $1.3 billion in public and private annual income, $3.3 billion in library collections and several billion dollars in other critical public assets such as library buildings and equipment.

· The State Education Department and the New York State Library are required to ensure that public libraries and library systems are spending public funds wisely to support student achievement and to deliver library services that meet community needs.

· There are no ongoing, comprehensive State-approved education or training programs for library trustees in New York State to inform them as to their fiscal oversight and stewardship responsibilities and to provide them with the current information and tools necessary to successfully carry out this critical policy and fiscal oversight role.

New funding would enable the State Library to:

· Build on proven programs and develop content for state-approved training programs for library trustees, with a focus on fiscal accountability and stewardship responsibilities.

· Develop and implement a plan to deliver basic fiscal accountability and stewardship training to all library trustees by 2010.

· Ensure that all newly appointed trustees receive this training within their first year of appointment or election.

· Partner with the New York State Association of Library Boards, library systems and the New York Library Association in these efforts.

· Support libraries and library trustees with expert advice and resources for local library use.

Requested Resources $750,000*

*Includes $500,000 for library trustee training and $250,000 for museum and public television trustee training.

                 For Information 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 Web site: www.nysl.nysed.gov/fundingproposals/

                 The New York State Library is part of the Office of Cultural Education and a program of the State Education Department

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