MHLS would like to thank all of the library advocates who spoke up over the past week to the Governor to attempt to preserve local voter’s rights to decide the fate of their local libraries. Unfortunately the Governor has vetoed both pieces of special district legislation that were passed by the legislature this legislative season, which includes the Starr Library of Rhinebeck’s legislation.
We applaud the board of the Starr Library and library director, Steve Cook, for doing the right thing in pursuing this legislation. Pursuit of the library district model is the #1 recommendation for the future of public libraries from the Regents Advisory Committee on Libraries.
What’s next? Time will tell. Library advocates from around the state will soon turn to the work that needs to be done to find new paths forward. Stay tuned! And again, thank you for your efforts to speak up on this important issue.
