Governor Cuomo Signs Legislation to Increase Revenue to the State Love Your Library Fund

Today, Assemblywoman Sandy Galef and Senator Patricia Ritchie announced that their bill, A1094/S3023, which allows for a gift to the Love Your Library Fund to be included on corporate and personal income tax return forms, was signed into law by Governor Cuomo (Chapter 174). The legislation will allow individuals and corporations to contribute to the Love Your Library Fund, which is the primary vehicle of state support for the state’s annual Summer Reading Program.

The New York Library Association reports that over 51% of New York’s population are registered library users. Libraries serve as a valuable resource for people of all ages, providing a hub for community engagement, internet connectivity, entertainment, and education. The Love Your Library Fund supports the Summer Reading Program, which exceeds an enrollment of more than 2 million students annually. This program has proven results in using arts and music curricula, supporting literacy to combat summer learning loss, and preparing students to return to school in the fall.

Assemblywoman Sandy Galef said, “I am such a big fan of public libraries and know their importance to the entire community. As a former teacher, I also know how important summer reading programs are to keep our students learning through reading. I encourage all taxpayers to contribute to this new fund when completing their returns next year.”

“Across our state, countless people rely on their libraries for books, community events, job searching resources and so much more,” said Senator Ritchie. “I would like to thank Assemblywoman Galef for sponsoring this new law in the Assembly, which gives patrons an easy way to give back to their libraries and provide them with the boost they need to strengthen the important services they provide.”

Jeremy Johannesen, Executive Director of the New York Library Association, said, “This legislation will help provide students with every opportunity to combat Summer learning loss, and return to school better prepared for the year ahead. Assemblywoman Galef’s leadership on this legislation, and her commitment to every student’s success, will benefit every student, every community, and every New Yorker for generations to come.”

This new law will go into effect immediately.