Letter to NY Governor Hochul in Support of e-Book Legislation

Abstract

The American Library Association (ALA) urges Governor Hochul to sign S2890B (May)/A5837B(Jean-Pierre) into law. These bills passed both the N.Y. Senate and the Assembly unanimously. The legislation is intended to enable public libraries to continue in the digital age to fulfill their mission of providing the public with access to information. As the SB2890B Bill Memo recognizes, “public libraries provide equitable access to information to all.” Libraries increasingly are providing New Yorkers with access to digital content. The Bill Memo recognizes that digital content such as e-books “are particularly useful for senior citizens, people with disabilities, and others who may find digital content more accessible and manageable than paper books.” Furthermore, during the height of the pandemic, when the physical premises of most public libraries in the state were closed, libraries were able to continue lending e-books, thereby allowing New York residents to continue reading for education & learning, economic purposes, and personal development.