The New York Library Initiative

Libraries fueling literacy, learning, innovation and growth     

 

Statewide Internet Library

 

Benefits

·        Free library online – The Statewide Internet Library provides free access to thousands of current publications, plus health, business, news and consumer information, authoritative copyrighted information that is not freely available on the Internet.   

·        Saves Tax Dollars – Cost savings for taxpayers are huge. Dollars invested in a Statewide Internet Library buy licenses and subscriptions that would cost local libraries up to 35 times.  

·        Local savings – The Statewide Internet Library provides resources many local libraries cannot afford on their own.  The Statewide Internet Library enables local libraries to provide their users with free access to hundreds of periodicals, as well as thousands of other age-appropriate research resources and e-books.

 

Needs

·        New York ranks 35th  in per capita spending for a statewide Internet library, behind states including New Jersey, Georgia, Michigan, and California.

·        Powerful, up-to-date information – To be competitive New York must have a powerful Statewide Internet Library with current and high-end information as well as electronic science and math information that will enable students to meet the state learning standards and increase their academic performance.

·        Ongoing state support –The NOVELNY pilot project continues to be supported by limited and temporary federal Library Services and technology (LSTA) funds and lacks the support to grow into a robust Statewide Internet Library.

 

Users

·      All New Yorkers – New Yorkers can access the Statewide Internet Library from home, work, or school through their local library’s website using their library card or with a New York State Driver License or a Department of Motor Vehicles non-driver ID card at www.novelnewyork.org.

·      25 million searches – The Statewide Internet Library has been tested via the successful NOVELNY pilot project.  Searches have soared almost 1300% since 2001 to over 25 million per year. 

 

 

 

 

Resources Requested            $10 Million Annually

 

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

 

 

11/07

10/24/07