The Nassau Library System is a cooperative library system chartered under State Educational Law 255. It is a consortium comprised of 54 member libraries and a Service Center for the libraries. Each member library is independent, autonomous, supported by local taxes, and governed by its own board of trustees. All public libraries in Nassau County are members of NLS.
The Nassau Library System is governed by a Board of Trustees elected pursuant to the requirements of Education Law and the By-laws of the Nassau Library System. The member library trustees nominate and elect NLS Trustees.
The Service Center is managed by the Director of the Nassau Library System. The Director is appointed by the NLS Board of Trustees. The Director functions within the policies established by the NLS Board, the regulations of the NY State Commissioner of Education and the Board of Regents, as well as the requirements of the New York State Division of Library Development.
The Nassau Library System was created to foster quality public library service in Nassau County, to enhance the public library resources and services available, to effect economies in operations, to provide training and continuing education opportunities, and to stimulate development of public library service in unserved areas.