Information about New York State Library

The New York State Library is part of the New York State Education Department. The Library and its sister institutions, the New York State Museum and New York State Archives, are housed in the Cultural Education Center. The building is part of the Empire State Plaza, a large complex of state government offices in downtown Albany, New York.

Organization

Research Library

The New York State Library was established in 1818 to serve the government of New York State. Although its scope has increased since then, one of the State Library's primary functions is still to serve as a repository for the official publications of New York State government (the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, as well as the commissions, public authorities, and other agencies). The Library is also a depository for federal government documents.

The New York State Library's collections have a strong focus on the history and culture of New York State, including extensive holdings in local history and genealogy.

Talking Book and Braille Library

The New York State Talking Book and Braille Library (TBBL) is a unit of the New York State Library, but it is also a Regional Library in the nationwide program coordinated by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, a division of the Library of Congress, in Washington DC.

TBBL lends braille and recorded books and magazines, and the necessary equipment to play recorded books, to New York State residents who are unable to read standard printed materials because of a visual or physical disability. TBBL serves residents of the 55 upstate counties of New York State; the Andrew Heiskell Library, a unit within the New York Public Library, serves residents of New York City and Long Island.

History

• 1896 -- Established the New York State Library for the Blind, providing embossed books to blind adults.
• 1931 -- Became one of the original Regional Libraries in the Library of Congress' national program. "Talking" books on long-playing record were introduced.
• 1952 -- Extended Library services to blind children.
• 1966 -- Extended Library services to physically disabled and reading disabled individuals.
• 1974 -- Renamed the New York State Library for the Blind and Visually Handicapped.
• 1995 -- Renamed the New York State Talking Book and Braille Library.

Library Development

The Division of Library Development provides statewide leadership and advisory services to all libraries – public, school, academic and special – throughout New York. Library Development:

• administers State and Federal aid for library services and programs;
• makes recommendations on statewide policy and planning to the State Librarian;
• coordinates chartering (incorporation) and registration (approval) of public libraries;
• coordinates certification (licensing) of public librarians for employment in New York State; and
• collects and disseminates information and data about public libraries and the 74 library systems.

External Links

• New York State Library (official website)
• NYSL Catalog
• Library Development
• Talking Book and Braille Library (Upstate New York)