My last post on this didn’t get a ton of traction so I’m trying again. The latest budget proposal for NYC includes a $58.3 million cut to public libraries.
Previous cuts forced NYC public libraries to close on Sundays, and this further round of cuts would likely force libraries to end weekend service entirely. Additionally, it would mean further cuts to programming and the indefinite delay of reopening libraries that have been closed for renovation, which would leave entire neighborhoods without a library.
There is a preliminary budget hearing on May 21, and until then libraries are asking people to sign a letter here to urge the mayor’s office and city council to reverse the cuts.
I know things are terrible in a lot of ways right now and people probably feel overwhelmed and burnt out, but signing this letter (or reblogging this post) is a small, quick, concrete way to make a difference.
I realized I mentioned this in the last post but not in this one: this budget proposal exists as of May 10, 2024. If you signed a letter a few months or years ago (thank you!!) , that was a different letter-writing campaign about a different budget cut. Please sign again!!
Hi everyone!
It’s 6/20/24. Thank you so much to everyone who has signed/shared this. Please keep doing so! The deadline for the finalized NYC budget is June 30, just ten days away, and as of today the cuts are still there. These cuts would be truly catastrophic for NYC’s public libraries and by extension the city as a whole.
(By the way, if anyone out there doesn’t realize just how unnecessary these cuts are, there are currently plans to spend $225 million to build a cop city in Queens.)
We won!!
The NYC public library budget has been restored in its entirety and the libraries are reopening Sunday service at the branches that previously had it! Branches that were closed for renovation are going to reopen and programming that was halted will begin to start up again.
This happened because of public pressure, make no mistake, so thank you thank you thank you to everyone who signed this letter. Believe me when I say you made a concrete difference in a lot of lives.
I do want to say that this also could not have happened without the strong support of the city council, which is a reminder of how important local elections are. I understand how frustrating and disheartening electoral politics can be, but they can make a real difference.
Thank you again to everyone who signed and shared.
!!!!!!!!!!!!
