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New York's Public Libraries Meet Minimum Standards

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A single set of basic standards that assures equivalent levels of access to public library services and resources is imperative in order to meet the informational and educational needs of all New York State residents. — Committee on Minimum Public Library Standards Report, 1988

All public and association libraries in New York State must meet 11 minimum standards of service. The standards support improved library services for the people of New York by helping libraries:

• provide better quality service to their community,
• advocate better for the funds needed to provide quality library service, and
• be more accountable to the community paying for library services.

Developed by a 1988 statewide Committee on Minimum Public Library Standards, the standards were adopted by the Board of Regents as Section 90.2 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education.

Communities applying for a library charter or registration must meet all of the minimum standards at the time of application. Education Law requires that a library be chartered and registered to receive local and State public funds.

The New York State Library is committed to improving public library services and works with libraries, library systems, library associations, trustees and other library advocates to help assure New York's public libraries meet the minimum standards.

[Click on the chart at right to see it full-size; or download a .PDF of the chart]

2008 NEW YORK STATE PUBLIC AND ASSOCIATION LIBRARIES
AND PUBLIC LIBRARY STANDARDS
Comparison Chart

Minimum Public Library Standards Effective January 1999	2008 Libraries Responding [1]		Change from 2007 to 2008	Change from 1987 to 2008	2008 Percentage of Libraries Meeting Minimum Standard
	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
1. Bylaws	755	0	2	755	100.0%
2. Plan	752	3	-1	752	99.6%
3. Community Report	755	0	2	755	100.0%
4. Policies	755	0	2	755	100.0%
5. Budget	755	0	2	755	100.0%
6. Measures Collection	755	0	2	755	100.0%
7. Hours Open	752	3	-1	240	99.6%
8. Facilities
a. space	746	9	-7	746	98.8%
b. lighting	752	3	-1	752	99.6%
c. shelving	747	8	-6	747	98.9%
d. seating	746	9	-7	746	98.8%
e. restroom	750	5	-3	96	99.3%
9. Equipment
a. telephone	755	0	2	39	100.0%
b. photocopier	755	0	2	148	100.0%
c. microcomputer or terminal	755	0	2	323	100.0%
d. printer	755	0	2	366	100.0%
e. facsimile capability	755	0	2	755	100.0%
10. Printed Information	755	0	2	755	100.0%
11. Paid Director meeting CR 90.8	752	3	-1	752	99.6%
[1] Total of 753 public and association libraries in 2007; total of 755 public and association libraries in 2008. Standards as approved by the Board of Regents, Commissioner's Regulations 90.2 effective 1/29/99. Data for these elements are current as of September 2009 based on information provided by public library systems.

What if a Library Cannot Meet Minimum Standards?

If a library cannot meet one or more of the Minimum Standards, the director or board president should contact its library system to discuss available options. Education Law and Commissioner's Regulations provide a process for libraries that cannot meet a particular standard because of circumstances beyond the library board's control.

How are Public Library Systems and the State Library Helping Libraries Meet the Challenge?

The Public Library System Directors Organization (PULISDO) and the New York State Library continue to work together in a strong partnership to help public and association libraries meet the minimum standards. See Helpful Information for Meeting Minimum Public Library Standards for further information.

Background on Minimum Public Library Standards in New York State The New York State Library worked extensively with public library system leaders, librarians, trustees and other interested stakeholders for the better part of a decade to update New York's 1950 public library standards. The Regents endorsed five nonmonetary standards in 1989, but postponed adopting others until the Local Library Services Aid program was put in place during 1993. On December 17, 1993, the New York State Board of Regents adopted amendments to Section 90.2 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education related to standards for registration of public, free association and Indian libraries. The regulations became effective on February 4, 1994. On December 11, 1998, the Board of Regents again amended Section 90.2 to change wording to better accommodate new technologies. The amended regulations became effective on January 29, 1999. As of January 1, 1999, all public and association libraries in New York State must meet the eleven public library standards for registration.

For more information on Minimum Standards for New York's public libraries, contact your public library system or contact:

Office of the State Librarian and Assistant Commissioner for Libraries
Room 10C34 Cultural Education Center, Albany, NY 12230-0001
Phone: (518) 474-5930 • Fax: (518) 486-6880 • E-mail

See also Helpful Information for Meeting Minimum Public Library Standards

Last Updated: September 11, 2009 -- asm