Full budget restoration supports return and preservation of weekend service, opening of renovated branches and bolstered collections
New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Council Members, leaders from the Brooklyn, New York, and Queens Public Library systems, and library patrons celebrated the funding restorations in the budget that return full library service at neighborhood branches across all five boroughs of the city. The restored funding reverses the reductions in services resulting from mid-year budget cuts in November, including the reinstatement of Sunday service at certain branches and resuming paused programs. It also averts the threat of further reductions, such as the loss of Saturday service, and supports the opening of renovated branches, hiring staff, and increasing physical and digital collections.
The day’s celebrations marked the first reopening of Sunday service at seven library branches across the City since it was ended by budget cuts months ago, with ten more to reopen by the beginning of August. The Council successfully advocated together with New Yorkers for fully restoring city funding to the city’s three library systems and negotiated $42.8 million in baselined funding that will protect their funding in future budget years.
“Libraries are pillars of our communities, and the Council is proud to have secured $58.3 million in this year’s city budget to restore full library service for all New Yorkers to enjoy,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “This victory was hard-fought and achieved together with New Yorkers who made clear the importance of libraries to our neighborhoods. Libraries are among our most precious public resources, and the Council was also proud to negotiate baselined funding so their budgets are more stable for the future. The Council will continue to work with stakeholders across our city to ensure that all New Yorkers can reliably access the critical services provided by libraries.”
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