Full budget restoration supports return and preservation of weekend service, opening of renovated branches and bolstered collections
New York – Today,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.”
“This Sunday perfectly illustrates why the City Council fought so vigorously for the full funding restoration and baseline support of our public library system,” said Majority Leader Amanda Farias. “I am immensely proud of this Council for reinstating Sunday service for New Yorkers across all five boroughs. This achievement highlights our commitment to accessibility and community enrichment. I eagerly anticipate celebrating this milestone with my community at our very own Parkchester Library.”
“We fought hard this year to beat back unnecessary cuts and invest in the vital city services people rely on,” said Council Member Justin Brannan, Chair of the Committee on Finance. “Our libraries put literacy, cultural enrichment, professional development, technological proficiency and so much more within reach for all regardless of financial means. We are beyond proud to restore Sunday service and seven-day weeks to our library system. That’s an investment not just in our libraries themselves, but also in the many doors they open for New Yorkers of all stripes.”
“When Sunday service was eliminated at the Flushing Library last November due to budget cuts, it eliminated access to critical resources and support,” said Council Member Sandra Ung. “The successful restoration of $58.3 million in funding is a testament to the importance of our public libraries. This funding not only restores Sunday service in Flushing, it ensures that libraries across the city can continue to serve as spaces of education and opportunity. I want to thank everyone who called, emailed, and reached out to my office to express support for our city’s libraries. Your stories about how public libraries have been integral to your lives were powerful and moving, and underscored the essential role that libraries play in communities across New York City. I also want to thank Speaker Adams for her unwavering commitment and support for our city’s libraries as we worked toward a final budget deal.”
“Libraries are our most democratic institutions,” said Council Member Crystal Hudson. “They provide us all a place to learn and to socialize. They’re sites where we can browse the stacks, or simply find respite in the midst of a rainstorm or cool off during a heat wave. Our young neighbors can do homework there safely after school while our older neighbors can participate in programs that bridge the digital divide. We can attend story time or get help building our resume. Our municipal library system is a gem, and it should be treated as such. Our libraries care for all of our neighbors, and it is vital to their mission that they have the resources to operate fully. I am proud of our work in the City Council to reverse the mayor’s cuts to our library system. Today’s return of Sunday service is cause for celebration, and I remain committed strengthening New York City’s library system so that we may all continue to enjoy all it has to offer us.”
“There’s no place like New York’s amazing libraries,” said Council Member Keith Powers. “Glad to see that 7- day service is restored, and that New Yorkers can continue to take advantage of the greatest libraries in the world.”
“Over the past several months, New Yorkers have made it abundantly clear that they love and need their libraries, which is why we are so happy today to celebrate the return of Sunday service throughout the five boroughs,” said Anthony W. Marx, President of The New York Public Library. “I’d like to thank Mayor Adams, Speaker Adams, Finance Chair Brannan, Libraries Chair Rivera and the entire City Council for making this day possible. And my deepest gratitude to the many New Yorkers who spoke up for libraries when we needed them. This victory belongs to them.”
“Brooklyn Public Library and all New Yorkers extend a heartfelt thank you to Speaker Adams, Finance Chair Brannan, Library Chair Rivera, and the entire New York City Council for their tireless work to restore library funding,” said Linda E. Johnson, President of the Brooklyn Public Library. “We are delighted to reopen our doors on Sundays, allowing libraries to serve as cooling centers every day of the week and providing patrons with additional opportunities to learn, explore, access technology and connect with their neighbors.”
“It was wonderful to see the excitement of our customers today as we welcomed them to our Flushing and Central libraries on a Sunday for the first time since November, and we are very thankful that Speaker Adams was able to join us at both locations,” said Dennis M. Walcott, CEO and President of the Queens Public Library. “We are deeply grateful to her, Mayor Adams, Finance Chair Brannan, Libraries Chair Rivera and the entire City Council for their steadfast support to ensure that our communities across the city have access to free information, resources, services and opportunity seven days a week. It is a great day for New York.”
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