You may have heard that the Division of Library Development, working in partnership with New York’s 72 library systems, brings cost-effective, modern library services to the millions of people who use the state’s 7,000 academic, public, school, and special libraries.
Librarians, trustees, public officials, and community leaders depend on the Division of Library Development to help find new ways of making library services and resources available to people of all ages. But do you know what DLD is up to each day in support of this mission?
Check out the programs below for announcements, trainings, and other resources from Division of Library Development staff.
Literacy at New York Libraries
At the New York State Library, our team is committed to ensuring every New Yorker has access to literacy services to become proficient readers, writers, and communicators. Libraries provide critical access to reading materials, inclusive learning environments, and accessible technology to develop individuals’ literacy skills and help New York’s communities thrive.
Learning to read is a skill that parents and caregivers start to teach children beginning at birth. While public libraries provide literacy programs, reading materials, and comfortable spaces to support parents and caregivers, the NYS Library bolsters these efforts through the research-based training and collaboration through the Ready to Read at New York Libraries program. For older patrons, the Transforming Teen Services program focuses on supporting library staff working with and for teens to better understand their emotional and social development and understand how connected learning and computational thinking can work together.
In the summer months, public libraries work to foster a love of reading through programs and services geared for all readers. With the training, resources, and partnerships that make up Summer Reading at New York Libraries, libraries can help increase successful reading experiences. All year round, the NYS Library seeks to support all libraries in their efforts to increase Digital Equity and inclusion in their libraries.
State Aid for Library Construction
Any public or association library or public library system chartered by the Regents of the State of New York or established by an act of the New York State Legislature is eligible to apply for State Aid for Library Construction to cover approved costs for the acquisition, construction, renovation, or rehabilitation of public libraries or public library system headquarters, as well as broadband infrastructure projects.
On the State Aid for Library Construction website, libraries can explore construction project guidelines and begin the process of preparing an application for a project.
State Aid for Library Construction funds help ensure that library buildings are accessible, sustainable, and state-of-the-art, connected to the community and the world beyond! Looking for some data? Check out previously funded projects or explore the projected construction needs for libraries across New York State on the Allocations, Projects, and Program Data page.
Funding for Libraries in NYS
In addition to providing statewide leadership and advisory services, Division of Library Development staff administer over $100 million in State and Federal aid for library services and programs.
State Aid programs such as Services to State Correctional Facility Libraries and County Jails, Coordinated Collection Development for Academic Libraries, and the NYS Program for the Conservation and Preservation of Library Research Materials help libraries meet the needs of all New Yorkers by supporting essential library system activities.
Federal aid initiatives such as E-Rate and the Federal Library Services and Technology Act program provide funding assistance to local libraries for the enhancement of modern, quality library services across the state.
NOVELny
NOVELny is an online library available to every New Yorker, free of charge. It includes full text of hundreds of magazines, newspapers, maps, charts, research and reference books.
Any New Yorker can get started with searching the databases, no login required! For library staff, NOVELny provides technical support through the NOVELny Help Desk, and makes a robust Marketing Toolkit available to help libraries get the word out about NOVELny!