Visionary approach to libraries will connect New Yorkers to important programs and services<\/p>\n
New York, NY \u2013 City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn today presented a new, innovative proposal for a citywide system of \u201cMini City Halls\u201d that will serve as a one-stop shop for New Yorkers seeking help navigating access to important programs and services. Speaker Quinn proposed using the city\u2019s 206 libraries as community resource centers, improving delivery and access of services. Council Cultural Affairs and Libraries Committee Chair James Van Bramer, the New York Public Library, the Brooklyn Public Library, the Queens Borough Public Library, the Center for an Urban Future and the Charles H. Revson Foundation participated in today\u2019s press conference. <\/p>\n
\u201cLibraries are a tremendous, trusted resource to communities across the five boroughs. Our libraries go above and beyond in their service to New Yorkers,\u201d said Speaker Quinn. \u201cI\u2019m proposing a new way of tapping into this incredible resource, a citywide system of \u2018Mini City Halls\u2019 that will serve as a one-stop shop for help in navigating access to important programs and services. With Mini City Halls, we\u2019ll bring all that City Hall has to offer right to New Yorker\u2019s doorsteps.\u201d<\/p>\n
Specifically, Speaker Quinn called for a number of specific ideas to be explored as a way of achieving her proposal:<\/p>\n
Pilot Program<\/p>\n
\u2022 Creating a pilot program through a public-private partnership that would work to expand City services and CBO programming at local library branches. After neighborhoods for the pilot program are identified, the libraries would collaborate with stakeholders and partners to identify and meet community needs.<\/p>\n
Resource Centers<\/p>\n
\u2022 Developing training and resources to provide libraries and their staff with the tools they need to help individuals seeking services navigate government resources.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Identifying the most-requested services at each library branch and working with city agencies and their staff to facilitate access to services and resources. <\/p>\n
Innovation Plan<\/p>\n
\u2022 Creating a working group charged with developing a plan to identify the needs, key issues and opportunities at all branches across the three library systems. The working group would be comprised of the city\u2019s three library systems, city agencies, local elected officials, community-based organizations and key community stakeholders.<\/p>\n
\u201cI applaud Speaker Christine Quinn for amplifying the important role libraries play in the development of New York City\u2019s working class, our youth, elderly and immigrant populations,\u201d said Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, Chair of the New York City Council\u2019s Cultural Affairs and Libraries Committee. “By enhancing the strengths our of our three great libraries, we’ll make them even more invaluable to the millions who rely on them for information and technology every day.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLibraries play a tremendous role in the communities they serve so turning them into \u2018Mini City Halls\u2019 is a no brainer,\u201d said Libraries Subcommitte Chair Vincent Gentile. \u201cThis innovative proposal will help to better meet the needs of New Yorkers by making government more accessible. I thank Speaker Quinn, my Council colleagues and the New York Public Library system for their dedication to the people of New York City.\u201d<\/p>\n
“We thank the City Council and Speaker Christine Quinn for their dedication to libraries, and look forward to working together for the good of New York City,” said NYPL President Tony Marx. “We believe this collaboration will enhance the critical services already available at libraries, and further strengthen the deep connection between the community and local branches.”<\/p>\n
\u201cLibraries have always been community centers, places where people of all ages and backgrounds come to learn new skills, pursue interests and access educational and cultural resources. By expanding our work with government agencies we will offer even more opportunities to our patrons and by investing more in our branches we will enable more people to take advantage of our offerings, from our computers and technology training, to homework help and family literacy programs. Speaker Quinn and the entire City Council have long been among the strongest champions of our city\u2019s libraries and we\u2019re thrilled to work together on this pilot and to bring many new people into our branches,\u201d said Linda E. Johnson, President of Brooklyn Public Library.<\/p>\n
\u201cLibraries are important information crossroads in every community. Queens Library is grateful to Speaker Christine Quinn for her leadership in helping us build out even more valuable resources, and to the whole City Council for their support,\u201d said Thomas W. Galante, President and CEO, Queens Library.<\/p>\n
\u201cNew York\u2019s public libraries are serving more people in more ways than ever before. They have become the go-to place for people who lack the basic literacy, language and technological skills that are needed in today\u2019s knowledge economy. No other institution reaches as many people in as many ways, from immigrants and seniors to teenagers and those who are the wrong side of the digital divide,\u201d said Jonathan Bowles, executive director of the Center for an Urban Future, which recently authored a major report about the city\u2019s public libraries, titled Branches of Opportunity.<\/p>\n
\u201cNew York City\u2019s neighborhood libraries are the drivers of opportunity\u2014acculturating new generations of immigrants, educating children beyond the school walls, providing open access to technology, and readying a workforce for the 21st Century. The Revson Foundation applauds Speaker Quinn for valuing the critical importance of neighborhood libraries in the lives of millions of New Yorkers,\u201d Julie Sandorf, President, Charles H. Revson Foundation.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am pleased to join Speaker Quinn in her drive to expand the array of services offered by our City\u2019s libraries,\u201d Council Member Margaret Chin said. \u201cMillions of New Yorkers visit our libraries to access the internet, take classes, receive training, and check out books. By enhancing the offerings at our libraries, we can make them more responsive to the needs in our community and ensure that libraries have a healthy and robust future in our City. I want to thank Speaker Quinn and offer my support for this pilot program.\u201d<\/p>\n
###<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Visionary approach to libraries will connect New Yorkers to important programs and services<\/p>\n
New York, NY \u2013 City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn today presented a new, innovative proposal for a citywide system of \u201cMini City Halls\u201d that will serve as a one-stop shop for New Yorkers seeking help navigating access to important programs and services. Speaker Quinn proposed using the city\u2019s 206 libraries as community resource centers, improving delivery and access of services.<\/p>\n
…<\/p>\n