New York Library Association (NYLA)

Description
The New York Library Association (NYLA) is a trade associaton founded in 1890 to lead in the development, promotion and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning, quality of life, and equal opportunity for all New Yorkers. Today, NYLA is working stronger than ever to further promote its mission in support of libraries and information service.

Mission
New York Library Association Mission and Goals Statement

The mission of the New York Library Association (NYLA) is to lead in the development, promotion and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning, quality of life, and equal opportunity for all New Yorkers.In support of this mission, NYLA's goals are:
 * Membership:
 * To create and maintain a large, stable, involved membership by drawing from the full range of New York's library service and information providers and supporters;
 * Advocacy:
 * To ensure equitable access to the highest quality library and information services by speaking as the chief advocate for the people of New York;
 * To promote the visibility and use of libraries and the essential role of library service and information providers;
 * Intellectual Freedom:
 * To protect and promote intellectual freedom and the first amendment right of free expression and to ensure equitable access to information;
 * Library Service:
 * To promote the timely and expert delivery of library and information services to meet the changing needs of individuals and society;
 * Professional Development:
 * To advance the recruitment, education, professional development, and interests of library service and information providers;
 * Resources:
 * To maintain a fiscally sound organization with an effective operating structure that is responsive to member needs;
 * To invest in expert, committed staff resources sufficient to carry out NYLA's mission, goals, and objectives effectively.
 * Document history:
 * Adopted by NYLA Council
 * January 30, 2001

History
The New York Library Association, popularly called NYLA, was founded in 1890 at the close of the annual convocation of the University of the State of New York. George W. Curtis, distinguished author and Chancellor of the University, Andrew Draper, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Melvil Dewey, Secretary of the Board of Regents and State Librarian, were the chief sponsors of its organization.

On November 19, 1929 the Board of Regents for and on behalf of the Education Department of the State of New York, granted a provisional Charter incorporating Carl L. Cannon, Florence R. Van Hoesen, Augustus H. Shearer, Joseph D. Ibbotson, William F. Yust, Elizabeth M. Smith, Helena S. LeFevre, Frank L. Tolman and Esther Johnston, and their associates and successors, as a library association for the purpose of promoting library interests in the State of New York under the corporate name of New York Library Association, Inc., to be located in the City of Buffalo and State of New York, with the persons named as incorporators for its first Board of Trustees, to hold until their successors shall be chosen by the members of the Corporation, with power therein to increase or decrease its membership in such manner and upon such terms as shall be provided for by the general rules of the trustees, and with power with them, from time to time, by unanimous vote of their full Board, to fix their terms of office and their number to be not more than twenty-five nor less than five.

The provisional Charter was to be replaced by an absolute Charter if within five years the Corporation acquired resources and equipment available for its use and support and sufficient and suitable for its chartered purposes in the judgment of the Regents of the University and was maintaining an association of educational usefulness and character satisfactory to them.

It was extended for an additional period of five years on May 16, 1941; and an Absolute Charter was granted the Association on December 20, 1946, continuing the Corporation with all its powers, privileges and duties.

NYLA is affiliated with the American Library Association as the New York Chapter of that national body. Members of the State Association include librarians of public, system, school, college and university and many special libraries, library trustees, and friends of libraries. From a membership of 43 in 1890, the Association has grown to a vital organization of several thousand members, representing not only the libraries of New York State but also including many members, State and institutional, from all over the United States.

The Association was the first state-wide organization of librarians in the United States. NYLA has always been devoted to the promotion of the library interests of the entire State. It has to its credit a large share in the upbuilding of a notable system of modern libraries throughout the state.

Links
NYLA's Official Homepage