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Senate libraries committee advances multiple bills, including ‘Freedom to Read’ and Imagination Library fund
Summary
The New York State Senate Committee on Libraries voted to advance a package of bills affecting library collection policies, children’s literacy programs and library services; several measures were referred to the Finance Committee or carried out of committee after voice votes.
The New York State Senate Committee on Libraries advanced a slate of bills affecting library policy, funding and services during a brief session that concluded with votes on several measures.
The committee, chaired by C. Labaino, reported or carried multiple bills out of committee, including S1099 (the "Freedom to Read Act"), S1100 (library curation and staff policy), S3154A (creation of a statewide Imagination Library fund), S5494 (state aid for library social work services), S5988 (access to employment preparation education funds for adult literacy), S5989 (library cards for minors), and S6870 (a study on public library access to capital funding).
Why it matters: the package covers both policy and funding issues for New York libraries — from rules on collection curation to a proposed state-level fund for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and proposals to expand literacy and social work services in public libraries. Several bills were formally reported or carried out of committee, which advances them in the legislative process.
Votes at a glance
- S1099, sponsored by Senator May, "an act to amend the education law in relation to enacting the Freedom to Read Act." Committee record: voice vote…
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