Local Program Studies, 1948-2021
- Extent:
- 3.33 cubic ft.
- Scope and content:
- Local Program Studies are studies and projects done by the LWVAC that concerned the local area and its citizens. Some of the major areas of study for the LWVAC that resulted in concrete action include mental health facilities, libraries, open meeting law, and household hazardous material. The group began studying mental health facilities in 1955, aided in the creation of the Albany County Mental Health Board in 1958, and continued to study the county’s mental health services through the 1980s. In 1961, the LWVAC surveyed the library services available to citizens in the county. The group determined that the Town of Colonie was in greatest need of a public library and took part in a door-to-door campaign called Libraries for Albany County Knocking (LACK). In cooperation with 45 other organizations, the LWVAC aided in the founding of the Colonie Library Association in November 1961. The Observer Corps (1982-1987), an LWVAC committee, observed meetings of the local governments to monitor compliance of those governments with the New York State Open Meeting Law and Freedom of Information Law following an Open Meeting Survey conducted by the group in 1980. From their study of household hazardous material, the LWVAC produced Household Hazards: A Guide to Detoxifying Your Home in 1988 and 1990, which is housed in this series rather than with publications in Series 7. Other local items of study include financing education, land use, redistricting the city and county of Albany, solid waste management, and the use of the ANSWERS incineration plant. Also included in this series are records relating to the LWVAC’s participation in the LWVNYS initiative Students Inside Albany, an annual conference designed to teach high school students about New York State government. The LWVAC selects 1-2 high school students from Albany County to participate each year.
- Arrangement:
- This series is arranged alphabetically.
Contents
Using these materials
- Access:
- The archives are open to the public and anyone is welcome to visit and view the collections.
- Collection restrictions:
- Access to this record group is unrestricted.
- Collection terms of access:
- The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of copyright. Whenever possible, the M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives will provide information about copyright owners and other restrictions, but the legal determination ultimately rests with the researcher. Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the Head of Special Collections and Archives.