§ 816. Local library and school partnerships. 1. Legislative intent. In order to promote and encourage children to read and learn outside the classroom, this law seeks to encourage local libraries and schools to work together to promote the availability of library services and resources.

2. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall be defined as follows:

a. "School district" shall mean any public school district in the state of New York that contains one or more schools with any combination of grades from and including kindergarten through grade twelve.

b. "Public library" shall mean any public or association library as defined in section two hundred fifty-three of this title.

3. Upon the request of a public library that is located within the boundaries of a school district, the district shall disseminate informational materials provided by the library regarding the public library and applications for public library cards to students enrolled in the school district. Such materials shall be distributed to any or all of the following, as requested by the public library:

a. annually to every student of such school district upon his or her entry into kindergarten, grade six and grade nine, except that a library and school may agree to alternate or additional grades;

b. to every student upon his or her enrollment as a new student; and

c. available at all times in the school library in each school within the school district for students and parents who wish to obtain such materials.

4. The director of each participating public library shall consult annually with the school district in order to coordinate the provision of materials containing information regarding the library, instructions on how students may obtain a library card and an application for a library card.

5. Each public library that is located in the school district shall provide sufficient copies of such materials to the school district for distribution as described in subdivision three of this section so that each school may satisfy the requirements of this section.

6. In the event there is no public library located within the boundaries of a school district, such school district shall not be required to comply with this section.

7. The commissioner shall have the authority to establish rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this section.

8. Nothing in this act shall require a school district to expend additional funds in order to comply with the provisions of this section.

9. This section shall not apply to a school district or a library in a city of one million or more where such district or library are subject to a local law which was adopted prior to the enactment of this section and which provides for the distribution of library materials in public schools.