When:Tuesday, November 18th, 1:00 — 2:00 PM

Where: Well of the Legislative Office Building, Albany

As you may already know, the library community could realize a significant reduction in state aid for the remainder of this year and for next year.  As a strategy to collectively state our position, the New York Library Association (NYLA) is organizing a rally in Albany on Tuesday, November 18.  The governor and legislature will meet on this day in special session to discuss further reduction in state appropriations across the board.

We are trying to have as many librarians and library supporters from around the state attend this rally.  To make it easier for you to attend, SENYLRC is joining the Mid-Hudson and Ramapo Catskill Library Systems in paying for a bus. We invite staff from SENYLRC member libraries and cultural heritage organizations to join us, at no cost, on the bus trip and the rally.

How will a funding reduction affect your library?

The potential exists for reduction in SENYLRC’s general operating aid as well as various programs. The following SENYLRC services and programs could be negatively impacted by further cuts to State Aide to Libraries:

  • Hospital library websites and subsidies for electronic resources from the Hospital Library Services Program (HLSP).
  • Substantial reduction for Coordinated Collection Development Aid (CCDA) for academic libraries.
  • Support for medical document delivery and Interlibrary Loan support from the Medical Information Services Program (MISP).
  • Subsidy for the Encyclopedia of World Biography and reduced rates for other electronic resources.
  • Hudson River Valley Heritage – Valuable resources for teachers and other users; training and support for libraries and cultural heritage organizations that contribute to HRVH.
  • Professional development workshops and programs on a variety of topics related to technology.
  • Staff support services.

    • Register for the bus: Stops include the Newburgh Mall (9:45am), the New Paltz Thruway Exit 18 Parking Lot (10:00am) and the Quality Inn & Suites off Kingston Thruway Exit (10:30am). Arriving in Albany at noon (you will have 1 hour for lunch on your own before the rally.) The bus will depart Albany at 2:30pm.

    You must register online, no later than November 14, 2008, to reserve your seat: http://calendar.rcls.org/

    Please let SENYLRC know if you register to attend. Call SENYLRC at (845) 883-9065 or email Judy Fischetti <judyf@senylrc.org>

    See attached flyer. rally-flyer-18nov2008