Do you have a library card yet?
City Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer, a long time advocate for public libraries, had vast support from the New York Public Library, the Queens Library and the Brooklyn Public Library when he introduced the Library Card Act, which was passed by the full City Council on Thursday, March 25.
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg signed it into law on Wednesday, April 14.
The legislation will make it easier for students to apply for library cards because it requires the Department of Education (DOE) to supply library card applications and information on how to apply for the cards. The applications will be distributed to students who are entering kindergarten, sixth grade and ninth grade. It also requires the DOE to supply students who are transferring to a new school with library card applications.
“I am thankful for the support this bill has had from City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Education Committee chair Robert Jackson, and all the members that sponsored the bill, as well as the three library systems,” said Van Bramer.
“Libraries are an integral part of our education system. It is undeniable that children who read more and use their libraries do better academically. As an educational resource, it is important to use every opportunity to bring libraries and students together. This bill will do just this,” Van Bremer said.
While many students are library cardholders, it is just not enough. In Queens, nearly half of school-aged children do not have a card. In Brooklyn, 33 percent or 196,284 children do not have a library membership. The goal of this bill is to reduce the number of students without memberships, by using the public school system as a way to make it easier for them to apply for library cards.
“This bill is critical in helping the New York Public Library achieve its goal of engaging students from the time they are babies all the way until their teenage years,” said New York Public Library President, Paul LeClerc. “Library cards are the free but priceless keys needed to unlock the wide variety of materials and programs we have available for our children, which are needed by hard-working families now more than ever. So we fully support Van Bramer’s efforts, and look forward to working with the city DOE to ensure every New York City student has a library card.”
