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Coordinated Outreach Services Advisory Group Policy

Purpose

The OWWL Library System (the System) establishes the Coordinated Outreach Services Advisory Group (COSAG) to advise the System on providing quality, planned, and integrated outreach library services for those individuals in the service are who are most in need, especially those who are not regular library users, in accordance with New York State Education Law §273(1)(h)(1) and Commissioner’s Regulations §90.3.

Target Populations

Coordinated Outreach for Library Systems focuses on serving the following nine target populations:

  1. People who are Blind or who have a Physical Disability
  2. Seniors
  3. People who have a Developmental or Learning Disability
  4. People living in Institutionalized Settings
  5. Members of Ethnic or Minority Groups in need of special services
  6. People who are Educationally Disadvantaged
  7. People who are Unemployed or Underemployed
  8. People who are Geographically Isolated
  9. At risk youth from birth to age 21

Membership

  • COSAG shall consist of 5 to 11 members.
  • Members shall include representatives from organizations or agencies serving the target populations within the System’s service area.
  • One member shall be a director of a member library within the System.
  • Members shall serve three-year terms and may serve no more than three consecutive terms.
  • Members shall be appointed by the OWWL Library System Board of Trustees as needed upon recommendation from the Outreach Department to fill vacancies or expand membership.

Meetings

  • COSAG shall meet at least twice per calendar year.
  • Additional meetings may be called as necessary.
  • The Outreach Department will coordinate meeting schedules and agendas.

Responsibilities

COSAG serves in an advisory capacity to:

  • Review and evaluate current outreach programs and services.
  • Identify community needs for new outreach initiatives.
  • Identify community resources to meet the needs of target populations.

Oversight and Review

  • The Outreach Department oversees COSAG activities and ensures compliance with state regulations.
  • This policy will be reviewed by the OWWL Library System Board of Trustees at least every five years to ensure continued effectiveness and compliance.

Last Updated by the OWWL Library System Board of Trustees on August 13, 2025