NYC Council, Library Leaders, and New Yorkers Call on Mayor Adams to Restore Funding for Libraries at Rallies outside of Branches Closed and Threatened by Budget Cuts

 

With the elimination of 7-day service already affecting the three library systems, further cuts threaten to eliminate Saturday service, staffing, programs, and other services

With the looming June 30th deadline approaching, New York City Council Members, the Brooklyn Public Library (BPL), the Queens Public Library (QPL), New York Public Library (NYPL), and library supporters and advocates rallied at the BPL’s Walt Whitman Branch and QPL’s Flushing Branch to call on Mayor Adams to fully restore $58.3 million in funding for all three library systems in the Fiscal Year 2025 city budget.

Libraries across the city have been severely impacted by the mayor’s repeated budget cuts, which have reduced services at local branches, including the loss of 7-day service. The Flushing branch of Queens Public Library ended Sunday service months ago due to the mayor’s budget cuts to libraries. The Walt Whitman branch of Brooklyn Public Library will likely end Saturday service if funding is not restored in the adopted budget due on June 30. Libraries provide vitally important programs to New Yorkers of all ages in every neighborhood, like adult education classes, homework help for students, literacy and reading programs for young children, technology classes, workforce development services, and more.

The livestream of the Flushing Library rally can be found here. Photos of both rallies can be found here.

“Our neighborhood libraries are community centers and resource hubs that serve New Yorkers of all ages,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “Libraries are among our most precious public resources, and they deserve our full investment. Our city must restore the budget cuts that have already taken seven-day service away from New Yorkers and threaten to further impact programs and services. With the final budget due in days, the Council continues to fight for the restoration of funding for these essential institutions.”