Join WNYLRC

Membership Information

The Western New York Library Resources Council (WNYLRC) works on behalf of more than 60 member institutions (see WNYLRC’s Member Directory) comprised of public, school, academic, hospital and special libraries in the six counties of Western New York (Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Orleans & Genesee).

Over 1000 librarians and library staff are eligible to participate on committees and attend training and professional development activities sponsored by the Council and its partners. In addition, WNYLRC pursues grant funding for special projects that benefit all members. WNYLRC keeps abreast of future trends and technological advances and introduces initiatives by forming pilot programs such as Ask Us 24/7 and Empire State Immersive Experiences (ESIE). These shorter-term projects enable members to form partnerships to partake of endeavors that might not be feasible for them to try alone. WNYLRC is an advocate for libraries of all types through active participation in advocacy day in Albany and by meeting with local, state and federal legislators.

Member Benefits and Privileges

All Members
May contract with WNYLRC and/or its members for special services and activities consistent with the policies and goals of WNYLRC.

Governing Membership

1. Voting privileges
2. Eligible to serve on the WNYLRC Board of Trustees
3. Eligible to serve on WNYLRC Standing Committees
4. Eligible to participate in training and other services at Governing Membership discounted rates
5. Eligible to apply for grants when available
6. Eligible to utilize member services

Standard Membership

1. Non-voting
2. Eligible to serve on the WNYLRC Board of Trustees
3. Eligible to serve on WNYLRC Standing Committees
4. Eligible to participate in training and other services at Standard Membership discounted rates
5. Eligible to apply for grants when available
6. Eligible to utilize member services

Patron Membership Privileges

1. Non-voting
2. Eligible to serve on WNYLRC Standing Committees (one slot is available on each committee)
3. Eligible to participate in training and other services at Patron Membership discounted rates

Affiliate Participants Privileges

1. Non-voting
2. Eligible to serve on WNYLRC Board of Trustees as appointed by their public or school library system
3. Eligible to serve on WNYLRC Standing Committees
4. Eligible to participate in training at Governing members discounted rates
5. May apply for grant funds through their public or school library system
6. May be able to utilize selected member services with approval from their public or school library system

Member Categories

Governing Membership:

Governing Membership. The following criteria will determine eligibility for Governing Membership in WNYLRC:

Any degree-granting chartered institutions of higher education whose library meets current State Education Department (SED) standards or has submitted an appropriate five-year plan for the realization of those standards (see Commissioner’s Regulations 90.5)
Any public and school library systems meeting the current SED standards including New York State Educational Law and Commissioner’s Regulations. Individual public and school libraries that are members of a school or public library system are considered an affiliate and are eligible for some WNYLRC benefits under this category but concede their voting rights to the system headquarters
Any individual public libraries who are members of a public library system
Any individual school libraries who are members of a school library system
Special reference and research libraries in chartered educational agencies
Special reference and research libraries in non-profit chartered organizations such as museums and historical societies
Special reference and research libraries in private sector organizations such correctional facilities
Hospital libraries that meet the standards established by the regents in accordance with section §254
Free Association libraries who are members of a public or school library system
Indian (Native American) libraries who are members of a public or school library system
Special non-profit organizations and private corporations providing serious reference and research library services in the WNYLRC service area meeting the following criteria:
1. a collection or repository of resources used to support the institution’s primary clients and/or community OR;
2. expenditure of more than $3,000.00 annually on print and/or electronic library materials
Governing Members agree to the extent possible to freely and willingly share resources with other WNYLRC members onsite, onsite by appointment, and/or via interlibrary loan at no cost to the borrower

Standard Membership:

Standard Membership. The Standard Membership is for non-chartered organizations and/or who do not have a MLS degreed professional on staff.

1. Eligible Library and Cultural Organizations

a. Any special reference and research library in the private or public sector within an organization such as a correctional facility
b. A non-chartered historical society or not-for-profit
c. Any free Association Library who is a member of a public or school library system
d. Any Native American Library who is a member of a public or school library system
e. Non-chartered, non-profit organizations and private corporations providing serious reference and research library services in the WNYLRC service area, which house a collection or repository of resources of interest to a broad audience used to support the institution’s primary clients and/or community

2. Standard Members agree to the extent possible to share resources freely and willingly with other WNYLRC members onsite, onsite by appointment, and/or via interlibrary loan at no cost to the borrower
3. Eligible Individuals or Groups Served Through Standard Membership

a. All staff of member organizations including student workers
b. All Board of Trustee appointees of member organizations
c. All faculty working in the Standard Member organization

4. Ineligible Individuals or Groups Not Served Through Standard Membership

a. Friends of Libraries groups
b. Departments outside of the member library or archives including another department faculty
c. Library patrons or users

Patron Membership:
The Patron Membership is for those that do not meet the Governing or Standard Membership level.

There are three levels of Patron Membership:

Organizational – Organizations that do not have a physical collection per se to resource share and/or may have expertise to share in the area of library and information science, or may work on behalf of WNYLRC members in other venues in support of libraries and/or resource sharing
Personal – Retirees from the field of librarianship, individual librarians and library assistants who prefer to keep current with issues affecting the WNY library community
Student – Students who are currently obtaining their MLS or graduates who have had their MLS less than 12 months

Eligibility Review:

All Governing members shall be subject to review by the WNYLRC Board of Trustees as to eligibility.
Standard members shall be subjec to review by the WNYLRC Staff as to eligibility
Patron members are approved by the WNYLRC Executive Director.

2023 - 2026 - Membership Dues Schedule

For more information see: Membership By-laws

WNYLRC Membership Application - Governing/Standard Member

WNYLRC Membership Application - Patron Organizational Member

WNYLRC Membership Application - Personal or Student Member