New Yorkers for Better Libraries Political Action Committee

2009 marked the seventh year of operation for the New Yorkers for Better Libraries Political Action Committee. Once again, we are encouraging members of the library community to continue its support of our work. Please allow us the opportunity to provide a brief report of our activities:

During the year, we maintained our registration with the New York State Board of Elections and filed eight detailed reports, reworked our web site, made three presentations to groups to explain what our PAC is, published several articles about NYLIBS-PAC, and continued use of an electronic newsletter to keep our contributors apprised of our activities. During the year, we held our third annual Fundraising Gala in Albany, and received extremely generous contributions from the Nassua Public Library Directors and the Public Library Directors Association of Suffolk County, as well as wonderful support in the form of a fundraiser from the greater Albany library community.

Our mission is to provide financial support to legislators and candidates for state office who are in a position to effectively champion libraries. In 2009, we contributed over $20,000 to the campaign committees of those who are in a position to help libraries. These contributions have brought us access to decision-makers and have signaled a seriousness of intent within the library community.

In 2010, we intend to reduce the number of legislators to whom we give so that we can focus on contributing larger amounts to chairs of powerful committees and the leadership itself. We feel that this is the best way to proceed in light of the dysfunctional nature of our state legislature and the lack of concern individual legislators showed when it came time to stand up for libraries during round after round of budget cuts over the past 18 months.

From an original handful, we have built a core of contributors that now numbers more than 400. We have set a membership goal of 1000 indiviudal contributors and a financial goal of $50,000 in annual individual contributions for 2010. We understand that these are big numbers, but with libraries under attack we need to make sure that decision makers see that we are willing to put our money where our mouths are.

Matt Bollerman, Mastic Beach
Steve Bolton, Watertown
Mary Brink, North Tonawanda
Linda Fox, Ballston Lake
Rhonna Goodman, Brooklyn
John Hammond, Canton
Jennifer Morris, Geneva
Debbie Podolski, Farmingdale
Bridget Quinn-Carey, East Aurora
Barbara Nichols Randall, Albany
Ristiina Wigg, Corning