ADVOCACY NEWS
Copies of written testimonies and the video recording of the January 10, 2018 Assembly Standing Committee on Libraries and Education Technology, public hearing on library funding, are available at: http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/future/index.html.
Wanda Bruchis, Director of the Mid-York Library System, and Chris Sagaas, Director at the Utica Public Library, were there to testify. Thank you, on behalf of our entire CLRC region.
The hearing was held for Assembly Library Committee members to learn more about the impact of the 2017/2018 State Budget on the New York State’s public libraries and library systems.
Chair of the Assembly Library Committee, Didi Barrett, Assembly Committee members Steven Otis and Yuh-Line Niou and Assembly member Patricia Fahy, heard prepared statements from witnesses, describing how libraries and library systems across the State are collaborating and using technology to better leverage their resources to expand and sustain library services for all New Yorkers.
Witnesses testifying at the January 10 public hearing included:
Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, Coordinator for Library Sustainability, Mid-Hudson Library System
Tom Sloan, Executive Director, Mid-Hudson Library System
Wanda Bruchis, Director, Mid York Library System
Christopher Sagaas, Director, Utica Public Library
Timothy Burke, Executive Director, Upper Hudson Library System and NYLA President
Scott Jarzombek, Director, Albany Public Library
Nick Buron, Chief Librarian, Queens Library
Jonathan Chung, Director of Government Affairs, Queens Library
MaryEllen Elia, Commissioner, Cultural Education, New York State Education Department
Mark Shaming, Deputy Commissioner, Cultural Education, New York State Education Department
Kathleen Gundrum, Executive Director, CDLC; representing the Empire State Library Network (ESLN)
Robert Hubsher, Executive Director, Ramapo Catskill Library System
Lauren Moore, Executive Director, Pioneer Library System
Mike Neppl, General Counsel and Director of Government Relations, New York Library Association
Jeremy Johannesen, Executive Director, New York Library Association
J’aimé Pfeiffer, School Library System Director, Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES on behalf of Dr. Jennifer Cannell; representing the School Library Systems Association, Inc.
Dr. Colleen D. Sadowski, Director of School Library System and Media Services, Rochester City School District and immediate past Chair of the Regents Advisory Council on Libraries
Iris Weinshall, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, The New York Public Library
George Mihaltses, Vice President for Government and Community Affairs, The New York Public Library
David Woloch, Executive Vice President for External Affairs, Brooklyn Public Library
Written testimony was submitted by:
Ronald Kirsop, Assistant Director, Pioneer Library System
Terry Kirchner, Executive Director, Westchester Library System
Join CLRC as we travel to Albany for Advocay Day on Wednesday, February 28. REGISTER HERE.
Attend one of our Advocacy Workshops in Syracuse or Utica on February 8.