NYC Mayor Signs Library Card Act into Law

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By SLJ Staff -- School Library Journal, 04/22/2010

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg recently signed into law the Library Card Act, which requires that his city’s Department of Education supply library card applications and information about how to obtain a card to students entering kindergarten, sixth grade, ninth grade, or when transferring into a new school.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg signs the Library Card Act into law as Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer (left) and Queens Library CEO Thomas W. Galante look on.
Photo: William Alatriste

Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, a longtime advocate of public libraries, introduced the act in his second month in office and received broad support from the New York Public Library, Queens Public Library, and Brooklyn Public Library.

“Libraries are an integral part of our education system,” says Van Bramer. “It is undeniable that children who read more and use their libraries do better academically. As an educational resource, it is important to use every opportunity to bring libraries and students together. This bill will do just this.”

In Queens alone, approximately 45 percent, or 113,021 school aged children, don’t have library cards. And in Brooklyn, about 33 percent, or 196,284 school aged kids, are without one. A similar number of children lack library cards in the areas served by the New York Public Library. The new bill hopes to reduce these numbers by taking advantage of the public school system’s outreach abilities.

"This legislation will go a long way to ensure that every child has access to the support and resources inside their public library," says Queens Library Chief Executive Officer Thomas W. Galante. His library serves a population of 2.2 million people in the most ethnically diverse county in the U.S., and had a record 23 million items in circulation in FY 2009, the highest circulation of any public library system in the U.S. and one of the highest circulations in the world.

“A library card can be the ticket to opening up children’s minds and sparking their imaginations,” says New York City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn. “In so many ways, it can be the next step to a great adventure for a child. I am thrilled that this bill is ensuring that our next generation of New Yorkers will know what great resources the library has to offer: books , classes, computers, and so much more—all at the fingertips of every child.”