Westchester Library System (WLS) is the library system for the residents of Westchester County, New York . It was established in 1958. The system has 38 public libraries across the county and its headquarters are located in the town of Greenburgh , near Elmsford .
10-581: The Westchester Library System is a state- chartered , cooperative library system serving all 38 Westchester member public libraries and the county's citizens. It is one of the 23 public library systems serving New York State's public libraries, and was established in 1958. The mission of the Westchester Library System is to enhance and improve the county's libraries, and to ensure that all residents have excellent library service regardless of their location. A 15-member board of trustees, elected by
20-447: A charter (by petitioning the Board of Regents) is necessary for any educational organization who intends on organizing as a nonprofit education corporation. In order to satisfying Regents standards of quality, they must develop and go through the provisional to absolute chartering process. The period of development starts with a provisional charter, which is a form of incorporation granted for
30-420: A probationary three to five years to historical societies that have expectations of meeting Regents standards. This encourages the society to progress, and at the end of the provisional period, there is a choice to petition for extension or have the charter made absolute. An absolute charter is given to societies that meet the organizational and educational standards which leads to what is called, registration. When
40-485: Is a small group of people who lay down the foundation for the formal organization of the society. Such things as statement of purpose, the organizational meeting, the constitution and bylaws, incorporation, corporate title, requirements, reviewing, recommendations, and petitioning are all elements of the highly involved creation of charting a historical society. New York, unlike all of the other US states who view cultural agencies as nonprofit businesses, has unique ways with
50-560: Is available to member Libraries on services, programs, planning, budgeting, administration, and management. Charter (New York) A charter is a grant of authority or rights issued by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). The organization grants provisional and absolute charters to legally establish educational corporations including schools, libraries, historical societies , and museums. While organizations originate in different ways, usually there
60-608: The capacity of libraries to serve the needs of low-income seniors and adults seeking information on social services, education and jobs. This work includes those who have been incarcerated, those who are institutionalized, and those with disabilities. Direct services: support for those seeking a high school equivalency diploma and older adults seeking guidance on Medicare and related benefits. WEBS offers free group and individual career counseling programs in libraries for adults in career transition as well as access to career and educational information. WLS coordinates programs that support
70-681: The creation process and sees organizations such as libraries and historical societies as educational organizations. The cultural agencies in New York are a significant part of the educational system and incorporate under the Education Law rather than corporation law . These educational organizations are also created by and are subject to the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York . An issuance of
80-485: The ongoing training and collaboration of librarians serving youth in Westchester County. Develops and maintains contact with community organizations, press and media. Raises funds and visibility for member libraries and system initiatives. WLS arranges and conducts workshops and other training opportunities for professional development of member librarians and the advancement of Library trustees. Professional advice
90-523: The organization has a record of financial stability, programmatic accomplishment, and a reputation for excellence, it is often successful in meeting the registration requirements. With this successful review and recommendation that the Regents allow an absolute charter, the historical society is then registered and gains this absolute charter. From this point on, the organization must submit annual reports in order to provide current information and accomplishments to
100-851: The trustees of the member libraries, is the governing body of the system. Books, videos, recordings, and other library materials acquired by member libraries are cataloged and entered in the online "card catalog" and are made available to all cardholders. The system staff operates the circulation system and maintains the network, providing access to collections, various databases, and the Internet. A delivery service provides transportation of Library materials to each member library. InterLibrary loan service enables patrons to borrow materials which are not owned by any WLS library. The WLS outreach services seek to improve access to public library services for all residents of Westchester County . Outreach activities focus on developing programs and partnerships that expand
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