NY Senate Extends Bill to Aid Public Libraries

State Senator James Seward announced Wednesday that the Senate has renewed a bill to aid public libraries.

The Senate has extended a provision in a 2011 bill extending the public library construction grant program to March 31, 2020. The program was scheduled to sunset in 2015.

The 2011 law made two changes to better address the needs of libraries: it authorizes libraries in disadvantaged communities to use grant funds for up to 75% of project cost, instead of the previous 50 %, and it permits libraries to use state matching funds for the acquisition of vacant lands.