Education (Libraries)

in committee · New York · Senate Mar 25, 2026

S 9559: Prohibits libraries and library systems from banning books or other materials based on partisan or doctrinal disapproval

Prohibits libraries and library systems, including school libraries and school library systems from banning books or other materials based on partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects academic freedom in school libraries by preventing partisan or doctrinal book bans, supporting educational access and intellectual freedom for students.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 18, 2026

A 9625: Enacts the facilitating access to e-books for libraries act

Permits libraries and library systems to enter into cooperative purchasing agreements to purchase or license electronic literary materials; prevents contracts between publishers or aggregators and libraries or library systems from restricting the disclosure of certain information.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables libraries to access e-books via cooperative agreements, expanding educational resource access for students and public, aligning with educational access support indicators.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enables libraries to cooperatively purchase e-books, expanding digital access to literary materials without restrictive contracts, aligning with 'expands internet access' indicator.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 9537: Enacts the "freedom to read act"

Requires each board of education to adopt a written policy for reconsideration of school library materials and make such policy available on its website; requires such policies to include provisions for the creation of a reconsideration committee to review complaints regarding school library materials; requires the commissioner of education to develop one or more model policies for school districts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates policies to protect library materials from removal due to complaints, promoting educational access and academic freedom.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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passed both · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 8630: Enacts the "freedom to read act"

Requires each board of education to adopt a written policy for reconsideration of school library materials and make such policy available on its website; requires such policies to include provisions for the creation of a reconsideration committee to review complaints regarding school library materials; requires the commissioner of education to develop one or more model policies for school districts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires school boards to adopt policies for reconsidering library materials after complaints, protecting access to diverse educational resources per 'freedom to read' intent.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Libraries School Safety

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in committee · New York · Assembly Apr 13, 2026

A 7948: Relates to state financial aid for library social work services

Creates a program to award state financial aid for social work services to be provided in libraries located in economically disadvantaged communities to enhance and expand access to services in places where individuals seek assistance and resources.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates state financial aid for library social work services in disadvantaged communities to expand access to resources, aligning with educational access indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1030: Exempts certain books, magazines, pamphlets and other related items sold at certain book fairs from sales and compensating use taxes

Exempts books, magazines, pamphlets and other related items sold at a primary or secondary school facility or at a library at a book fair organized, hosted or sponsored by an organization established for educational purposes, including but not limited to a parent-teacher association, booster club, or a similar school-based association which supports school activities, or a friends of the library organization from sales and compensating use taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts educational materials from sales tax, providing tax relief for schools/libraries and supporting public education funding through reduced tax burden.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts educational materials from sales tax at school events, reducing costs for schools and increasing access to learning resources without direct funding but enabling resource acquisition.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Libraries Teachers

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2248: Enacts the college textbook affordability act

Enacts the college textbook affordability act; establishes the New York state open education resources council and the New York state open source digital library; authorizes SUNY campuses and community colleges to adopt open educational resources adoption incentive program campus plans and apply for grants to implement such plans; provides that settlements with the office of the attorney general shall be used to provide assistance to the state university of New York for the purposes of carrying out the provisions of this act.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes OER programs and grants to reduce textbook costs, expanding access to affordable higher education resources.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEstablishes digital library and promotes OER adoption, advancing digital access for education through technology infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education Libraries

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3589: Protects library access to electronic literary materials

This bill (A 3589, "Protects library access to electronic literary materials") bans restrictive clauses in contracts between publishers and libraries for electronic literary materials (e-books and digital audiobooks). It specifically prohibits terms that limit libraries' core functions, such as restricting loans, limiting preservation copies, or controlling loan periods. The law applies to licensing agreements for literary monographs (single-volume works) and declares such prohibited terms unenforceable, with libraries able to seek remedies under state law. It does not apply to contracts between libraries and aggregators (companies licensing multiple publishers' collections).

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects libraries' access to e-books/digital audiobooks by banning restrictive contracts, directly expanding educational resource access for students and educators.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBans restrictive clauses in library-ebook contracts, protecting core digital access functions like loans and preservation, advancing digital rights and access.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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in committee · New York · Senate Apr 28, 2026

S 5988: Enables public libraries to access employment preparation education (EPE) funds to provide adult literacy education

Enables public libraries to access employment preparation education (EPE) funds to provide adult literacy education; sets aside one million dollars to be awarded through a competitive grant process; provides that half of such appropriation shall be set aside for libraries serving a population of one million or more.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1M in state funds via grants for library literacy programs, increasing public service funding under budget appropriations.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $1M for adult literacy education through public libraries, directly funding educational access for adults.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 17, 2025

S 2423: Prohibits libraries and library systems from banning books or other materials based on partisan or doctrinal disapproval

Prohibits libraries and library systems, including school libraries and school library systems from banning books or other materials based on partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrevents book bans in school libraries, protecting student access to diverse materials and supporting educational freedom within K-12 curriculum.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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