School Library Systems are a collection of state-aided programs sponsored by each BOCES or 'Big 5' city school district. They provide vital library and information resources to public and nonpublic schools throughout the state. Each system operates under a state approved plan of service to provide:
- leadership and training through professional development activities
- assistance with resource-sharing among its member school libraries
- access and training in technology for information literacy skills
- assistance and direction with cooperative collection development of school library materials
- leadership in meeting information needs of special client groups
- information on regional library issues with public, academic and special libraries