New York Assembly Bill A05525

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/14/25
• Refer: 2/14/25
• Report Pass: 5/20/25
• Refer: 5/20/25

Caption

Relates to conducting a study on the access of state public libraries and library systems to capital funding; provides the department of education, in consultation with the dormitory authority, the office of the state comptroller, and the public library systems of the state, shall assess and report on the capital needs of such public library systems, including public libraries and association libraries.

Impact

The bill seeks to uncover the projected capital needs of public library systems over a five-year period and assess the existing options available for financing capital projects. A significant focus is on identifying why certain libraries or systems may have been denied funding from state authorities in the past decade and what percentage of applicants were successful. This information is crucial for ensuring libraries can satisfy their funding requirements for upgrades and essential projects.

Summary

A05525 is a New York Assembly bill aimed at amending the education law to conduct a comprehensive study on the access of state public libraries and library systems to capital funding. The bill mandates the Department of Education to collaborate with various state authorities to evaluate the current state of public library financing and identify needs, barriers, and potential solutions for improving access to capital funds. This will cater to both public libraries and association libraries across the state.

Contention

There are potential points of contention surrounding the study's outcomes and proposals, particularly how they might influence future legislative decisions regarding library funding. Certain stakeholders may raise concerns about the attention given to libraries based on their geographic location or size, possibly leading to inequities in funding. Additionally, the process of gathering data and arranging recommendations could provoke discussions on prioritizing library funding in the state's budget.