New York Codes, Rules and Regulations
Title 8 - EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Chapter II - Regulations of the Commissioner
Subchapter D - Libraries
Part 90 - Public And Free Association Libraries
Section 90.2 - Standards for registration of public, free association and Indian libraries

Universal Citation: 8 NY Comp Codes Rules and Regs ยง 90.2

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 39, September 25, 2024

(a) Registration standards through December 31, 2020. A public, free association or Indian library registered on or before December 31, 2020 shall meet the following registration standards:

(1) is governed by written bylaws which outline the responsibilities and procedures of library board of trustees;

(2) has a board-approved, written long-range plan of service;

(3) presents an annual report to the community on the library's progress in meeting its goals and objectives;

(4) has board-approved written policies for the operation of the library;

(5) presents annually to appropriate funding agencies a written budget which would enable the library to meet or exceed these standards and to carry out its long-term plan of service;

(6) periodically evaluates the effectiveness of the library's collections and services in meeting community needs;

(7) is open the following scheduled hours:

Population

Minimum Weekly Hours Open

Up to 500

12

500-2,499

20

2,500-4,999

25

5,000-14,999

35

15,000-24,999

40

25,000-99,999

55

100,000 and above

60

(8) maintains a facility to meet community needs, including adequate space, lighting, shelving, seating, and a restroom;

(9) provides equipment and connections to meet community needs including, but not limited to a telephone, photocopier, telefacsimile capability, and microcomputer or terminal with printer, to provide access to other library catalogs and other electronic information;

(10) distributes printed information listing the library's hours open, borrowing rules, services, location and phone number; and

(11) employs a paid director in accordance with the provisions of Section 90.8 of this Part.

(b) Registration standards on or after January 1, 2021. A public, free association or Indian library seeking to register with the Department on or after January 1, 2021 shall be registered with the Department if it meets the registration standards set forth in this subdivision in a manner satisfactory to the Commissioner. Any public, free association or Indian library that was registered by the Department on or before December 31, 2020, shall meet the following registration requirements by January 1, 2021 to continue to be registered by the Department:

(1) is governed by written bylaws which define the structure and governing functions of the library board of trustees, and which shall be reviewed and re-approved by the board of trustees at least once every five years or earlier if required by law;

(2) has a community-based, board-approved, written long-range plan of service developed by the library board of trustees and staff;

(3) provides a board-approved written annual report to the community on the library's progress in meeting its mission, goals and objectives, as outlined in the library's long-range plan of service;

(4) has board-approved written policies for the operation of the library, which shall be reviewed and updated at least once every five years or earlier if required by law;

(5) annually prepares and publishes a board-approved, written budget, which enables the library to address the community's needs, as outlined in the library's long-range plan of service;

(6) periodically evaluates the effectiveness of the library's programs, services and collections to address community needs, as outlined in the library's long-range plan of service;

(7) is open the following scheduled hours:

Population

Minimum Weekly Hours Open

Up to 500

12

500-2,499

20

2,500-4,999

25

5,000-14,999

35

15,000-24,999

40

25,000-99,999

55

100,000 and above

60

(8) maintains a facility that addresses community needs, as outlined in the library's long-range plan of service, including adequate space, lighting, shelving, seating, power and data infrastructure, and a public rest-room;

(9) provides programming to address community needs, as outlined in the library's long-range plan of service;

(10) provides a circulation system that facilitates access to the local library collection and other library catalogs; and provides equipment, technology, and internet connectivity to address community needs and facilitate access to information;

(11) provides access to current library information in print and online, facilitating the understanding of library services, operations and governance; information provided online shall include the standards referenced in paragraphs one through five of this subdivision;

(12) employs a paid director in accordance with the provisions of Section 90.8 of this Part;

(13) provides library staff with annual technology training, appropriate to their position, to address community needs, as outlined in the library's long-range plan of service; and

(14) establishes and maintains partnerships with other educational, cultural or community organizations which enable the library to address the community's needs, as outlined in the library's long-range plan of service.

(c) Variances. If circumstances over which any public, free association or Indian library has no control prevent it from meeting one or more of the standards of service set forward in subdivision (a) or subdivision (b) of this section, such library may apply for a variance for such standard(s). The application for such variance shall be submitted for such library by the public library system of which such library is a member, in a form prescribed by the commissioner. No variance granted pursuant to this subdivision shall be deemed to relieve a public, free association or Indian library of any obligation imposed by any other provision of federal or state law.

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