From VOICES: Letter to the Editor

Volume 33
Spring-Summer
2007

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New York Folklore Society
P.O. Box 764
Schenectady, NY 12301
518/346-7008
Fax 518/346-6617
nyfs@nyfolklore.org

October 5, 2006

Dear Editor:

Thank you for publishing Kathleen Condon’s E-Resources column “Digging Deeper” (Fall–Winter 2006, p. 15) which focused on the State Library’s New York Online Virtual Electronic Library (NOVEL). This is not only an extensive resource, but also an example of governmental efficiency, since the single statewide contract for databases is far less expensive than if each local library had to negotiate separate contracts with each database vendor.

Had Ms. Condon indeed misplaced her library card, she still would have been able to access NOVEL through the State Library’s direct site—www.NovelNewYork.org—using her New York State driver’s license (or DMV-issued non-driver’s ID) number. This also provides access for the one million New Yorkers (mostly rural residents) who are not served by a local public library.

As Voices articles have consistently noted, New York’s public libraries—along with the network of library systems, academic and special libraries, and the New York State Library which back them up—are a treasure of information.

Cordially,

Hugh T. Farley
State Senator, 44th District
Chairman, Subcommittee on Libraries

Response from Kathleen Condon

What a pleasure to hear from State Senator Farley, who has worked so tirelessly over the years to enhance and maintain New York’s wealth of library resources! I had not realized that there were any New Yorkers not served by a local public library, and I am glad to hear that NOVEL is helping to fill this gap. I’m sure that Senator Farley would join me in encouraging all New Yorkers who are able to get library cards to do so, in order to explore not only NOVEL, but also any additional subscriptions or collections that may be available—either online or in person—through their local public libraries.

This Letter to the Editor was published in Voices Vol. 33, Spring Summer 2007. Voices is the membership magazine of the New York Folklore Society. To become a subscriber, join the New York Folklore Society now.