LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim April 11, 2013, as Library Assistants Day in the State of New
York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those community based organizations which unselfishly devote their ener-
gy, resources and thoughtful care on behalf of improving the quality and
character of life in that community; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor
Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 11, 2013, as Library Assistants' Day
in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, National Library Week is an annual event that is designated
for the week of April 14 through 20, this year; there are 6,630
libraries of all types in New York State and over 14,620 staff members
other than librarians according to the most recent data available; and
WHEREAS, Library Assistants help facilitate the operation of the
library by aiding the librarian in their daily routine; they are instru-
mental as circulation clerks, maintain the catalog system, process and
repair books and audio visual formats, shelve books and other mediums,
and work behind the scenes in many other capacities; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Library Assistants' Association (NYSLAA)
is a state organization established by library assistants to promote and
enhance the professional image and status of New York State's library
assistants; to further their professional growth; to provide a network
for communication to the members and the profession on library and
library assistant issues; and to network and cooperate with library
organizations on local, state, national and international levels; and
WHEREAS, NYSLAA 2013 Executive Council members are: President Sally
McMaster of SUNY Buffalo, Vice President Kathy Rossello of East Green-
bush Community Library, Treasurer Lindsey Kaufman of Jamestown Community
College, Recording Secretary Coleen Hopkins of SUNY Geneseo, Correspond-
ing Secretary Donna Kuhner of Gloversville Public Library, and Member-
ship Secretary Donna Hanna of SUNY Geneseo; and
WHEREAS, Standing Committee members include: Membership Committee
Chair Donna Hanna of SUNY Geneseo, Public Relations Committee Chair Ruth
Mason of Guernsey Memorial Library, Newsletter Committee Chair Coleen
Hopkins of SUNY Geneseo, Elections Committee Chair Coleen Hopkins of
SUNY Geneseo, and Donations Committee Chair Lindsey Kaufman of Jamestown
Community College; and
WHEREAS, The NYSLAA has taken on a variety of roles to improve and
promote the Association, such as membership recognition, fund-raisers
and innovative programs; NYSLAA's most distinctive program is the
Certificate of Achievement; in 1992, the NYSLAA conducted a membership
survey which included questions about certification for library assist-
ants; seventy-eight percent of those responding indicated they favored a
voluntary program; as the professional association of library assistants
in New York State, NYSLAA is the appropriate body to administer such
program; and
WHEREAS, In 1993, a majority of library assistants attending the
NYSLAA Annual Conference indicated that the NYSLAA should work on a
voluntary program; a draft of the program was presented to focus groups
of library assistants and library administrators for their input; a two
year pilot program was approved by the NYSLAA Executive Council and
implemented in January 1995; the first eight applicants received their
certificates at the 1995 NYSLAA Annual Conference held in Buffalo, New
York; and

WHEREAS, The program is designed to recognize the involvement and
contributions of career oriented library assistants and to acknowledge
their support of libraries and the library profession; for the purposes
of this program, a library assistant is defined as a library worker who
does not hold a position as a librarian; and
WHEREAS, In light of their commitment, dedication and successful
efforts, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to extend its highest
commendation to all of the Library Assistants in the State of New York;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 11, 2013, as
Library Assistants Day in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York, and Sally McMaster, President of the New York State Library
Assistants' Association.