• Spring

Spring 2003

• President's Memo: Thinking About The Enterprise
• Trustee Institute
• Editorial: Where We Are And Where We May Go
• From Assemblywoman Sandy Galef
• From Senator Hugh Farley
• Legislative Update
• Trustee Alert! Executive Budget Proposes Deep Cuts to Libraries
• Love Letter To Trustees
• The Care And Feeding Of Trustees
• Nonprofits Are Urged To Proceed With Caution During Campaign Season
• Letter To The Editor
• NYSALB Board & TRUSTEE Ownership

By Dr. Norman J. Jacknis, NYSALB President

It the midst of a crisis, such as the one we are now facing in the library world, it often helps to think about things from a different perspective. So, as I was mulling over the problems we face in libraries, I thought about the problems I face in my "day job."  As many of you would not be surprisedto learn, having read these columns, my "day job" is in information technology.  In that world, one of the most important challenges goes by the name "enterprise architecture."

Without going into the technical details, this is all about how to work together effectively, how to be flexible in meeting the changing needs of users and achieving the greatest value for the money invested.  This challenge has faced both the private sector and the public sector.

The depth of the hole that public sector technologists had dug themselves into was clear by the failures to share information and even provide basic communications before and immediately after the attacks of September 11, 2001.  It became worse with the severe cutbacks in spending on technology that started around the same time.

This situation had developed because each entity - each corporation or each public agency - followed unique, idiosyncratic approaches, often reinventing the wheel.  Computer systems could not talk easily to each other, hence the people using those systems could not work together effectively.  This was most obvious to the public who were being served - or not well served, as was the case.

There was a necessary and very wrenching re-examination of past practices. This was followed by a focus on how to better integrate all those separate departments and thinking about them as one, hence the term "enterprise architecture."

In the course of trying to achieve this goal, many interesting questions were raised - for example, what is the enterprise?  Who is part of it?  Who is a partner?  How strongly do common rules apply to organizations, which are legally separate?

It strikes me that all of these questions could apply to the library community, as well.I was reminded of the launching of my local library system's very successful on-line inter-library loan system.  This system makes it look to each patron that they can choose from a huge collection of books, videos, audiotapes, etc. no matter what the limitations of their own individual libraries.

Before any of this could happen though, it was preceded by a long period of negotiation and adjustment about common policies and rules -- for example how many renewals were allowed.

One other lesson to be learned is that to achieve the best balance and integration of library services often requires investments behind the scenes in those areas not immediately visible to the public.  This has implications for the increased funding of the state's 21 library systems; funding which the Governor has, by contrast, proposed to cut by 15%.

In spite of this fiscal crisis, or perhaps because of it, now is a good time for all trustees to start asking the enterprise questions.  What is the library enterprise in this state (or even this nation)?  Are we no more than a collection of essentially autonomous, fiercely independent institutions?  Does this serve the users of library services well?  Does this make us more or less effective in dealing with other public agencies? How well are library services tied together today?  (I would, of course, include the increasingly popular on-line library services. However, this goes beyond computer systems.)

It is natural to focus on the failure of the elected officials to provide sufficient money for library services.  Without ignoring the work we need to do to increase funding, we must also focus on how to utilize the funding to be more successful for our users.  That requires all of us - trustees and directors at all levels of the library world - to start answering these enterprise questions.

 To discuss these and other concerns with your fellow trustees, sign up for the NYSALB email discussion group by sending an email to join-nysalb@www.watpa.org or write directly to me at norm@jacknis.com. Thank you.

Back to Top

by Tina Thompson, NYSALB Director 1st Vice-President

Library trustees and their library directors are invited to attend an exciting educational opportunity at NYSALB's Annual Trustee Institute, May 2 and 3, 2003.  The program will be held at the Westchester Marriott, Tarrytown, New York.

Friday evening will include dinner, a welcome from Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano, and an opportunity to share your library's success stories.   This is the perfect opportunity to learn how other trustees deal with library programs, activities and problems.

Saturday morning a general session will feature the Director of the Westchester Library System and President of the American Library Association, Mitch Freedman, who will tell us  "What Trustees Need to Know About the Patriot Act."  

Attendees will then have the opportunity to choose to listen to "Planning for Success," a presentation of the Public Library Association's Planning for Results Process. This information will enable library trustees to respond quickly to changing environments.  Sara Dallas, the Outreach Consultant and Deputy Director of the Upper Hudson Library System, and Betty Lawrence, Assistant Director of Branch Libraries at the Rochester Public Library, have both attended training programs on Library Planning and Understanding Electronic Measurement.

Another morning program choice for attendees will be "Strong Boards/Effective Boards." This presentation will be by Patricia Stocker, the Assistant Director of the Pioneer Library System.

The luncheon speaker, Janet Steiner, will discuss the balancing needed between private and public sector funding in her presentation "Walking a Fine Line."  Janet has been the Director of the Tompkins County Public Library since 1993. Her library recently raised $1.7 million to complete a successful capital campaign for its new library.  She is also faced with the need to reduce hours of service due to two years of decreased county funding.

At the conclusion of theTrustee Institute program, attendees are encouraged to attend the annual meeting which includes the election of directors to the NYSALB board. Brochures will be available to trustees and their families who wish to go sight seeing.

The cost for registration is $70 with a $5 discount for "early bird" registration by April 15 and a $10 discount to NYSALB members.  The dinner cost Friday evening is $45. You may register on line using PayPal at http://www.NYSALB.org.

2003 NYSALB Trustee Institute
Westchester Marriott
670 White Plains Road
Tarrytown, N.Y.

Friday, May 2
Opening Reception (6pm to 7 pm)
Welcome, Dinner and "Success Stories"  (7pm to 9 pm)

Saturday, May 3
Continental Breakfast & Trustee Networking (8:15am to 9am)

General Session         (9am to 10:15am)
What Trustees Need to Know About the Patriot Act
Presenter - Dr. Mitch Freedman

Coffee and Trustee Networking    (10:15am to 10:30am)

Concurrent Sessions     (10:30am to 11:45 am)

Planning for Success
Presenters - Sara Dallas and Betty Lawrence

Strong Boards - Effective Boards
Presenter - Patricia Stocker

Lunch and Presentation        (12:15pm to 2:30 pm)
Walking a Fine Line:
 The balance  between private and public sector funding
Presenter - Janet Steiner

NYSALB Annual Meeting         (2:30pm to 3:00 pm)

Cost:           Institute Registration Fee              $70.00

                   "Early Bird" Registration by

                   April 15 deduct $5

                   NYSALB members deduct $10

                   Dinner Friday Evening                   $45.00

Register on line using PayPal at: www.NYSALB.org  or watch for your brochure in the mail.  Brochures will also be available from your library system.

Back to Top

by Dr. William Taber, NYSALB Director

Guest Editorial - Over the years, William Taber's articles have filled the pages of TRUSTEEŠenjoyed by one and all. We've asked Bill to pen the following piece because of his grasp of the many subjects that go into the make up of the fiscal crisis in which libraries find themselves today.  You may, of course, agree or disagree with his conclusions. (Edwin M. Field, NYSALB Director, TRUSTEE Editor)

Many of you have been trustees long enough to see New York State grudgingly and continually underfund public library services in both times of plenty and in times of scarcity. In times of plenty, libraries are given lip service, but the money goes elsewhere. In times of scarcity, there are cuts to be shared. To paraphrase an old truth, you know them not by their lips but by the consistency of their actions. The underlying consistency is that public libraries need not share in largesse but they must share in pain.

If this pattern reminds you of the attitudes of elites toward non-elites in history and of the attitudes of aristocratic domination in Europe that forced many of our ancestors to escape to the New World, it is not a coincidence. Public libraries are inherently anti-elitist. They serve the public; they are used by the public; they are supported by the public, and they bring comfort and power (through knowledge) to the public.

To any established economic, political, or social elite, public libraries are essentially irrelevant. At worst, they are costly, useless, and perhaps even dangerous philosophically to the interests of such elites.

As I write this, the annual pilgrimage by library supporters to various politicians is taking place to beg those dispensers of our tax money to allow decent funding of the state's public libraries. Much of this pleading (barring a miracle) is futile, but the desperation of public libraries is not the result of any faults or inadequacies of the libraries themselves. The plight of the libraries is but a small symptom of a larger process (not just limited to the present administrations of the state and nation). The normally beneficent functions and powers of democratic government and free economy are rapidly bending to the purposes of a very small stratum of our society, an already entrenched elite with values that are highly self-interested and self-satisfied. How can this be?

To start with, we see that forty percent of the entire wealth of the United States is now owned by one percent of the population, and further wealth is controlled through  corporations and political influence. Like it or not, here is a picture of that initial disparity: if $100 were to be shared by 100 people to live upon, then 1 person has $40. Assuming (unrealistically) that the remainder is shared equally, the other 99 persons in the population each would have 61 cents upon which to live.

Beyond this, U.S. wealth is concentrated even further by global corporations that are now so immense that they virtually monopolize our national economy and, increasingly, government policy. The middle class and small business, of which our nation was once so proud and which traditionally supports public libraries, is shrinking under the pressure, and it has less and less influence upon the mind-set of those in power.

If we had effective barriers to prevent such economic disparities from being translated into control of government and policy, political democracy would not be as threatened as it is now. However, the barriers have fallen, and most people know it. The costs of elections are ratcheted upward by the impact of the oceans of money that have swept over compliant politicians. The whole political system is now essentially corrupt; policy, taxes, and budgets increasingly reflect the interests of that narrow stratum rather than the interests of the nation, or of the public, as a whole. Against this background, New York State is not especially bad; it has simply failed to resist the mainstream.

No wonder the public libraries are always so low a political priority!

What can public libraries do? I can think of three elements of a strategy for the future created by this climate.

The first is to recognize what is becoming of our nation so that we can get out of the beggar's state of mind; I've done that above. Americans, at least the Americans of the past, tend to dislike being governed by elites once they recognize that it is happening. The second is to become a single issue political partisan until an historical corrective cycle reoccurs, if it ever does.  The third (related to the second) is to change the State's constitution so as to get somewhat above the battle for survival.

As the second element, we know that votes still count and that public libraries cannot bring to the table the requisite millions of dollars that is the present political currency of choice. Therefore, libraries must use the only political potential that they have and transform it into their own form of currency that may affect some of those votes.

The conventional wisdom is that public libraries should not be political, and this makes sense if you take it to mean that they should not align themselves with any political party or with its philosophy as such. Nevertheless, it is appropriate and necessary in this age of rampant self-interest for public libraries to become INTENSE SINGLE ISSUE PARTISANS who publicly support INDIVIDUAL CANDIDATES REGARDLESS OF PARTY on the basic issue of public libraries: proper and adequate funding for public libraries and, by extension, for the important services that only public libraries provide to the public in a free and decent society.

When single issue partisanship is combined with a rigid focus upon the individual politician rather than party, it becomes a tactic that creates for politicians a competitive arena for votes. Republicans and Democrats and others are equally welcome to this arena. They hate each other but not the support that they may earn in the arena.

Although public libraries may create the arena, the libraries remain as neutral as before on everything except the library issue (upon which they must be visibly and tenaciously implacable). Similar to the neutral nations of the world, they will trade with whoever gives them the best deal. No party loyalty, no ideological loyalty, no friendships, no identification with normal politics: just a focus upon the best deal for the main issue and an attitude of what have you done for me lately? Welcome to modern America.

Can libraries and library organizations select candidates to support? Can libraries affect votes? Of course they can.

Public libraries should select and support those individual politicians, regardless of party, who prove themselves to support public libraries on the bottom line. The standard of proof cannot be lip service ("I am in favor of libraries, but I must vote with my party. Maybe next time will be better.").

It must be action only: bills introduced, voting records, speeches, debates, challenges to leadership, repeated member items, writing, lobbying with fellow politicians, previous service to libraries, specific public promises that are measurable in effect, and so on -- all to the service of public libraries.

The library's specific perspective upon politicians could be something like, "We know that you love public libraries, but show me specifically what you have done recently that would not have happened anyway if you were not around?  Exactly what are you going to do this next year that is worth our supporting you?"

Each library has some knowledge about this already on the local political level. On the national and state levels, those organizations that have wider resources such as ALA and NYLA might well provide information for more coordinated efforts.

To affect votes requires the libraries to use their voices, their resources, their locations, their newsletters, and their constant visibility to an intelligent section of the voting public to promote their own cause TO THE PUBLIC, not just to politicians as we now do without much success.  Every library can use its own posters, handouts, photographs, book markers, advertisements, and web pages to display prominently the names, faces, and library funding records of those who satisfy these criteria in the opinion of the library.

It must ALWAYS make very clear that it is the individual who is being referred to, that his or her credentials on the library issue are the sole attribute that is being recognized, and that continued praise and encouragement is contingent upon his future support of the library. This is campaigning for the library, not for the politician nor his party nor his ideology.

The third element is an amendment to the NYS Constitution to guarantee adequate state funding to public libraries. When passed, this will emancipate the libraries from politics, but, until then, one of the criteria by which politicians must earn library support will be their help with this amendment.

Back to Top

I am thrilled to be the new Chair of the Assembly Committee on Libraries and Education Technology.  Libraries are one of the most important institutions in the state.  No longer thought of solely as repositories of books, they have become the centers of our communities.  In my neighborhood and others throughout the state, libraries are where we go to be entertained, gather for events, research job opportunities, or just escape with a good book - in text or on tape.  Libraries are becoming the focus of our cities, villages, and towns where we go for music, lectures, and readings.  Libraries complement our schools with after school and  summer reading programs for our children.

Libraries have been so much a part of my life, first as a young second and third grade teacher in Charlottesville, Virginia and Scarsdale, New York, and next as trustee of the Ossining Public Library.  In those years, we debated over whether we should carry Judy Blume books and do they belong in a library for children or adults.  It was then that I learned firsthand about the debate of censorship versus self selection.  And now as a legislator, I use books on tape as I travel to and from Albany during session.  The New York State Library in Albany played a critical research role during my efforts as sponsor of the amendment to the New York State Constitution that was adopted last year, making the document gender neutral.

As new Chair, I have had my first Assembly committee meeting and have toured the New York State Library and learned about the many services it provides along with the multiple databases it offers to all valid card-carrying library users.  I hope to familiarize my colleagues with these services that will be useful to their offices.

We all know and understand that these are tough economic times.  In the good times, libraries received no increase from the state of New York.  In these difficult times, we must work hard to maintain last year's level of funding at $88.9 million.  The new state budget shows a 15% decrease in funding for libraries which would result in a loss of an additional 15% in matching federal grants.  All this is at a time when there has been a 20% increase in library readership since the World Trade Center attacks of 9/11.

As we look to the future, we must work toward increasing dollars for technological innovation and the integration of the library system to serve the public in an optimal way.  My major goal is to champion what libraries do.  I look forward to working with you, keeping in touch, and learning what issues are important to you.  In addition to budgetary items, we deal with legislation important to libraries.  Tough, challenging, exciting is how I see my new job as Chair.  I want to hear from you, get to know you, and exchange ideas.  Please contact me in Albany at 518-455-5348 or at my district office 914-941-1111.  I look forward to a wonderful working relationship.

Back to Top

It is a pleasure to welcome Assemblywoman Sandra R. Galef as the new Chair of the Assembly Committee on Libraries.  I am looking forward to working closely with Assemblywoman Galef as we respond to the needs of all of our libraries.

Although funding for libraries is on the top of everyone's mind, the legislature will also be working this year on several proposals which are not directly related to the current budget.

In my last column I described the Constitutional amendment which Assemblywoman Galef and I are introducing to guarantee the same access to public libraries as the State Constitution presently guarantees to public schools.  This is a long-range goal, but one which could offer our children and grandchildren a significant guarantee of free access to quality library services.

Two other legislative proposals also look toward the future of libraries.

A bill which is near and dear to my heart would create an automatic inflation adjustment or cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) for State aid to libraries.  Every year New York increases State aid to school districts. The amount of increase may be an issue, but it has long been a foregone conclusion that there will be an increase.  Libraries, on the other hand, have to endure years of waiting between aid increases.  The COLA bill would annually increase State aid to libraries in accordance with increases in the cost of living, automatically ensuring funding which would keep up with inflation.  This would offer important funding stability for all of our libraries and library systems.

Another proposal would create incentives for people to become librarians. Librarianship can be a ticket to intellectual riches for bright young people.  Part of the long-term survival and growth of libraries will depend upon maintaining a supply of librarians educated in both the strong traditions of our libraries and in the newest technologies of information science.  Some of our best candidates for librarians of the new century are right in front of us -- the pages, clerks, and other staff who are already at work in our libraries.  I'm sponsoring a bill which would award scholarships to individuals currently holding a bachelor's degree who agree to earn an MLS and then work for at least four years in a library in New York State.  This approach would help to offer library staff a career ladder, as well as to support career-changers and recent college graduates. This year's version of the New Century Libraries bill will also include funding for library science scholarships.

When I talk about libraries, I emphasize them as a public investment, rather than a cost.  These legislative proposals would help us to invest in the future of libraries in our State.

Back to Top

By Jane Sweet, NYSALB Director, Legislative Chair

The Advocacy Leadership Meeting February 12 at The Clarence Public Library had 65 in attendance despite severe snow conditions.  Western New York schools were closed due to the weather but the warm library and outstanding presenters made the day worthwhile.

Janet Welch, State Librarian, gave Good News: Strong School Libraries result in High Student performance; In the last two years library usage surged up 20%;   Bad News: State funding for libraries has been stagnant and last year there was a 3% reduction. Cuts will mean already fragile school libraries will disappear and/or no new materials available and there will be limitations or elimination of inter-library loans. Public libraries will have fewer open hours and possible elimination of special programs. Advocates job will be to promote New Century Libraries and NOVEL, informing legislators the value of their support of these two major items and of the effect of the Governor's proposed 15% library budget cut.

Michael Mahaney, Director of Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, Dr. Donald Ogilvie, Superintendent of Erie I BOCES, Dr. Richard C. Timbs, Superintendent of Erie II-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus, each corroborated Janet's message of the outcomes of the cutbacks.

Chancellor Robert Bennett, expressed concern about the effects, of budget cuts to the broad spectrum of library education from Kindergarten thru Higher Education and Adult Education.  "The economic engine starts with education thru libraries".

Commissioner Richard Mills, stated, we must be ready to find fellow supporters of libraries: parents, businesses, union (who have members recently arrived from other countries), real estate people, mom's going back to school and persons doing job searches.  When lobbying, be sure to carry the map of the state which displays in RED the areas of the state without any library services. Pursue the advantages provided by New Century Libraries and NOVEL.Thomas Jefferson said, "This free society cannot live without libraries!"

Susan Bartle, of Erie BOCES II, did an outstanding job coordinating the events of the day including a catered lunch.  All present filled out a post card for the Speaker of the Assembly or for the Senate Majority Leader expressing their individual concerns about the cutbacks. Prizes were given to three lucky winners of a post card drawing.

The afternoon session included presentations from Carolyn Giambra, Past President of NYLA, MaryJo Ketchum Past President of NYSALB and Rebecca Mahoney, Vice-Chair, Buffalo & Erie County Public Library.   All three agreed, becoming a familiar face to your particular state legislator is important. Make an appointment to visit in their home office if you are unable to get to Albany and present the case. "We cannot live with the Governor's budget!"

Back to Top

The proposed Executive budget will reduce State aid to libraries to  levels of a decade ago.  The proposed cut is $13.3 million, or 15%, from $88.9 million to $75.6 million.

This will create a snowball effect as it generates a comparable 15% cut in Federal Library Services and Technology Act funds - a $1.35 million loss in federal funds for New York's libraries.  The loss of LSTA funds would spell the end to NOVEL, New York's first online virtual library.

Add local cuts of 15% to 20% to that , and New Yorkers stand to lose significant library services.

The proposed cuts would come at a time when library use has surged 20% statewide since September 2001.  Add to that the facts that State funding for libraries and library systems has stagnated and libraries' buying power has plummeted as costs for materials have soared, and you've got the makings of a crisis.

Every library in every community will be impacted by these cuts.  Closed doors, elimination of services for the elderly and disabled, cuts to after school and reading programs, and an end to online and Internet services are only some of the dire consequences of the proposed cuts.

NYSALB urges members to take action!

• Invite community and legislative leaders into your libraries.
• Show them first hand how vital libraries are to their communities.
• Write letters to the Governor and your legislators telling them how you feel about libraries and how important libraries are to education and the future of New York State.
• Join the ADVOCATE, an advocacy listserv that gives you up-to-the-minute news, information, and communications about libraries and library advocacy.

Back to Top

By Susan Keitel, NYLA Executive Director

Elizabeth Barrett had it right when she wrote to Robert Browning that she loved him to the depth and breadth and height her soul could reach; that she loved him to the level of every day's most quiet need, by sun and candle light.  She also loved him purely, as (men) turn from praise.  Such love is everywhere hard to come by -- but in politics, and in Albany at this time of year, it is next to impossible to love anyone or anything purely. In fact, it is hard to love at all in this traditional way.  Practical political realities and competitive concerns move me now to other kinds of love.

Dear Trustees of Public Libraries:

How do I love you?   Let me count the ways. I love you for the power you have, that raw, innervating energy that can sway the world of Democrats and Republicans, Senators and Assembly members.

I love you for the authority you can wield in your localities, your town and city councils, with your mayors, commissioners, and courts.

I love you for the wisdom and intellect with which you create the policies of your libraries, those strong simple supports for good library service.

I love you for the courage you show when your libraries are threatened by zealots who do not recognize the First Amendment.

I love you for the pure care and attention you offer your libraries.

Power, authority, wisdom, intellect, courage, care and attention are what make a good trustee, especially during this time when libraries are threatened. Whether the threat comes from cost-cutting governors, misdirected mayors, or provocative presidents, the strength and quality of our libraries depend on sufficient funds to operate them, and those who will do battle for those funds.  Equally important is a robust First Amendment that is not forced to suffer erosion by public policy.  Your voices, singly and collectively, are the strongest weapon we have to preserve deep First Amendment rights for library patrons.

But sometimes it seems to me you are sleeping giants, snoozing through the long gray winter.  Please, wake up now.  Libraries collectively need your help, in Washington and in Albany.   The State budget, a fickle creature in the best of times, is being torn apart by partisan bickering and opposing interests.  Libraries are trying to stay in the fight, but it is tough.  In Washington, the IMLS authorizing legislation is on fragile ground, and needs your support.  And the defense of the CIPA case, heard in the Supreme Court the first week in March, is expensive, time-consuming and vital. Surely you can help with these important concerns.

NYLA and NYSALB, working together, are your resources for change and accomplishment.  We are here to guide you, if you will just wake up.

Back to Top

Editorial Note:  The following "Care and Feeding of Trustees" (Librarian's Checklist) was prepared by members of the staff of the Vermont Department of Libraries. New (and even present trustees) might want to consider requesting this type of information from their Library Director.

Whenever A New Trustee Joins The Board, Supply Copies of the following:

• Library History
• Policies, by-laws, staff job descriptions
• Library's long range plans
• Current year's budget
• Last year's annual report
• Library's hours and phone number
• Library promotional material
• A list of library trustees and officers
• List of staff/volunteers, Friends
• State trustees manual and trustee's association membership form.

Schedule a tour of the library and a meeting to discuss:

• Your view of the library's role in the community
• Pleasures and problems of the job
• Short-term goals for the library
• Your vision for the library's future
• Any questions about trusteeship or the library

At the first board meeting, make sure to discuss the following:

• Duties and responsibilities of the trustees and Staff
• Board committees and what they do
• Formal and informal connections of the library with municipal government and other key agencies
• The budget process

With All Trustees:

• Keep them informed.
• At each board meeting give them a written report, including statistics, activities, accomplishments and a calendar of events.
• Pass any library newsletters and journals of interest along regularly.
• Keep them abreast of library trends and issues, locally, statewide and nationally.
• Encourage continuing education.
• Notify them of opportunities, even those not necessarily aimed at trustees, and invite them to join if you attend.
• Arrange for guest speakers at board meetings.
• Encourage trustees to visit other libraries and talk to other librarians and trustees.
• Welcome questions.
• Ask for help-be specific-and thank them profusely when they do assist you.

Back to Top

Editorial Note - The information discussed in the following article warrants inclusion in this issue of TRUSTEE. Although it may appear to be a bit early, the reality is that the campaign season looks and sounds to be in full swing. This article was prepared by The Council of Community Services of NYS, Inc. It first appeared in CCSNYS's newsletter Capital Eyes.  For information about CCSNY, contact Executive Director Doug Sauer - 1-800-515-5012.

With local, regional and national election campaigns starting to heat up, it is important for nonprofit organizations to be aware of what activities they legally can and cannot participate in during election season. The Council of Community Services of New York State (CCSNYS) strongly advises that nonprofits steer clear of any activity that may be construed as electioneering since it could result in a loss of tax-exempt status. However, if your organization still feels the need to become involved in the election cycle, you need to be aware of the following regulations. Nonprofits may not support or stand against a candidate, but they may carefully and thoroughly engage in candidate education.

Nonprofits can inform the candidates of their position, and candidates can then distribute the statement on their own, if they so choose. But, nonprofit organizations may not distribute statements made by candidates until after elections. Nonprofits may distribute questionnaires, so long as they are distributed to every candidate, contain questions framed without a bias, and cover a broad range of concerns. Voting records can only be distributed if it is something that your organization has done regularly throughout the year.

Nonprofit organizations may invite candidates to a public forum, but only if: all candidates are invited, you promote all candidates evenhandedly, all candidates have equal opportunity to answer questions, and you never state your views or make comments about a candidate's view. The nonprofit may then publish this information, but only in a regularly published newsletter that is only distributed to members. Care must be taken to ensure that each candidate is represented evenly, and it is wise to keep written records and documentation to prove that all candidates were invited to the public forum and given equal opportunities.

Be sure to exercise caution if invited to an individual candidate's function and or fundraiser. Even if friends of the candidate or an outside source donate tickets, your presence at such a function implies support of that candidate. Although it is not illegal for individual staff members to attend such functions on their own time and at their own expense, such behavior is questionable, and may be seen as unethical.

Back to Top

12 Sparrow Lane
Woodbury NY  11797

Dr. William Taber is right on the mark with his response to Chief Richard Barnhart's letter regarding terrorism and "the free and open access to all types of information [which] can be a dangerous thing."  (Winter 2003)

There are some who believe that only their personal, political, religious or social values are correct.  These folks would argue that access to information that does not coincide with their views is dangerous and such access must be curtailed.

Any information used inappropriately can be dangerous.  Should we control access to information because of the possible misuse of same?  Should we control who can buy an automobile because an auto can become a lethal weapon when it is under the control of a drunk driver, of course not.  To suggest or imply that librarians become information police is not the answer to controlling terrorism.

The Chiefs out there frighten me as much as the terrorists do.  With both, my freedom is at stake.  Dr. Taber correctly points out that "free access to knowledge is essential to liberty..."

Dr. Taber, thank you.

Shirley Lang, President
Board of Trustees
Syosset Public Library

Back to Top

Vol. XIV, No. 2, Spring 2003

TRUSTEE is published by the New York State Association of Library Boards 388 Broadway (4th Floor) Albany, NY 12207 four times a year for $10.00 annually per subscriber.  Subscription  is a benefit of paid membership; cost of the subscription is covered by membership dues. Second class postage is paid at Albany, NY  and an additional mailing office USPS#010-872, ISSN:1085-3170.  Volume XIV  Issue #2, Postmaster: Please send address changes to NYSALB, 388 Broadway (4th Floor) Albany, NY 12207.

NYSALB
338 Broadway, 4th Floor
Albany, NY 12207
Phone: 518-434-5973 
Fax: 518-434-0072
Website: http://www.nysalb.org

EDITOR: Edwin M. Field, efield@catskill.net
PRESIDENT: Norman J. Jacknis, norm@jacknis.com
1st VICE PRESIDENT: Martina Thompson
2nd VICE PRESIDENT: Joan Hurley
TREASURER: Richard Strauss
SECRETARY: Samuel Patton
ASSOCIATION MANAGER: Karen K. Dyer

DIRECTORS:
Erin Apostol, Albany
Edwin M. Field, Monticello
Joan Hurley, Horseheads
Dr. Norman J. Jacknis, Cortlandt Manor
David Bruce Krogmann, Glens Falls
George Manitzas, Freeport
Samuel Patton, Hopewell Junction
Francis Picart, Brentwood
Nancy Simaitis, Waverly
Richard Strauss, Memphis
Jane Sweet, Clarence
Dr. William Taber, Richfield Springs
Martina Thompson, Pittsford

Back to Top