Bynoe pushes bills supporting libraries during National Library Week

National Library Week finished on April 12, and to celebrate, State Sen. Siela Bynoe put forth several bills to help local libraries.

Bynoe is the chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Libraries, which met for the first time this year on April , and represents the 6th state senate district, which includes Freeport.

“I am proud to advance this set of bills that strengthens (libraries’) ability to serve, protect intellectual freedom, and bring critical services directly to the people who need them most,” she said in a news release. “I encourage everyone to explore their local library!”

“The local library is often our most accessible and trusted resource in our communities,” she said in the release. “Whether it’s connecting people to job training, helping our kids build their literacy skills early, or simply offering a safe space to learn and grow, libraries meet real needs every day.”

The seven bills put forward by the committee cover a variety of topics.

Three bills introduced by Bynoe would create pilot programs to hire social workers at some public libraries, dedicate $1 million in grant funding to public libraries offering employment preparation programs, and offer parents a library card for students who are being enrolled in schools.

The committee also put forward two important bills: the Freedom to Read Act and the Open Shelves Act. The first enables school libraries to offer the widest array of appropriate books possible, and the second would permit public libraries to curate themed book collections and programs to explore different perspectives.

“Libraries are essential institutions that foster equity in education, bridge gaps in access to critical resources, and serve as community anchors for the neighborhoods they serve,” said AnnaLee Dragon, executive director of the New York Library Association, in a release.

“NYLA applauds the work of the New York State Senate Standing Committee on Libraries and its Chair, Senator Siela Bynoe, for advancing legislation intended to support libraries, library users, and the field of librarianship in this crucial moment.”