Hilbert students, staff, patrons and friends of the library invited to share their stories with the Senator and advocate for 2025 funding on November 13

HAMBURG, New York— In partnership with the Western New York Library Resources Council, Hilbert College’s McGrath Library is pleased to invite students, staff, patrons, and friends of the library to an advocacy meeting on Wednesday, November 13 with New York State Senator Patrick M. Gallivan of New York’s 60^th Senate District. Library staff, patrons, volunteers, and community members from other local libraries or libraries within Senator Gallivan’s district are also invited to attend. This meeting will provide a unique opportunity for library advocates to share their library experiences with the Senator and express their support for increased library funding in the 2025 New York State Budget.

Event Details

• Registration Link
• Date: Thursday, November 13
• Time: 10:30-11:30 AM ET
• Location: McGrath Library Conference Room
  5200 South Park Avenue
  Hamburg, NY 14075
• Participants: Hilbert students, staff, patrons, volunteers, and community members, New York State Senate District 60 library staff, patrons, volunteers, and community members

“We look forward to hosting Senator Gallivan and provide a platform for community members to share their stories and advocate for the essential funding that supports our libraries,” said Melissa Laidman, MA, MLIS, Interim Director of McGrath Library. “Advocacy plays a crucial role in securing the essential funding that enables libraries like McGrath to provide patrons with access to vital information and resources.”

The November 13 advocacy meeting is part of the Western New York Library Resources Council (WNYLRC)’s legislative visits leading up to the New York Library Association’s (NYLA) annual Advocacy Day on February 5, 2025. NYLA’s Advocacy Day seeks to bring together library staff, trustees, volunteers, and users to share their public library experiences and advocate for stable funding.

"McGrath Library and others throughout the 60^th Senate District enrich the lives of residents of all ages and serve as meeting places for groups and community organizations," said New York State Senator Patrick Gallivan. "I look forward to talking with constituents and library advocates to hear how the state can help ensure libraries are able to continue to meet the needs of patrons."

Discussions during the November 13 advocacy meeting will focus on a funding increase and the passing of critical legislation that the New York Library Association has agreed to for 2025. This includes funding for NOVELny, an online virtual library that connects New Yorkers to vetted and authoritative information. These budgetary requests more accurately reflect the financial needs of libraries throughout the state, and will ensure New York’s school, public, and academic libraries and library systems are well-equipped to continue improving and enriching the minds and lives of their patrons.

Though Hilbert is a private college, its library relies on public funding and grants.  McGrath library receives annual funding through the Coordinated Collection Development Aid grant and NOVELny. This funding is crucial not only for the library’s operations, but also for supporting students before and after they leave Hilbert College.

McGrath library encourages all patrons, students, and library supporters to attend this important meeting and show their support for our libraries. Interested participants can register for upcoming Hilbert College advocacy meeting.