Say Reduction Would Decimate System
Numerous elected officials joined Queens Library President and CEO Thomas Galante, library staff and members of the community on the steps of Queens Library at Flushing last Tuesday, May 8, to rally for the restoration of a proposed budget cut of $26.7 million.
At 31 percent of its total budget, Queens Library is reportedly facing the largest cut in its history, threatening library service across the borough, including the outright closing of community libraries and the loss of hundreds of library jobs. More than 150 people attended last Tuesday’s rally.
“A library is an important resource for every neighborhood. It’s a place to learn, read, explore, and broaden new visions and learn how to achieve your goals and ambitions. Libraries here in Queens, America’s most diverse county, also bridge the gap for new immigrants to assimilate in a multicultural society, while providing veteran visitors with the tools they need to build a better future for a new generation,” said Queens Borough President Helen Marshall. “These threatened cuts must be restored to enable libraries to stay open with full services and programs for the hundreds of thousands of visitors who come through their doors.”
“The Queens public libraries of the City of New York are a fundamental pillar of our belief in an educated citizenry, as well as freedom of information and the pursuit of knowledge,” added City Council Member Peter Koo. “Our modern libraries provide countless citizens with access to a range of media and materials, in addition to a wealth of programs, which greatly enrich their minds and lives. Therefore maintaining and supporting our great libraries is a task of veritable importance, in doing so we preserve our history, support our culture, and pass a priceless gift on to future generations.”
“These cuts would put over 600 librarians out of a job, close 18 libraries all together, eliminate Sunday services at all branches and potentially keep 30 libraries closed four or five days a week. This cannot happen,” said City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, who chairs the Council’s Cultural Affairs and Li- braries Committee. “Queens residents deserve a budget-one that preserves all of their services as well as the free educational, cultural and informational programming that make this prestigious institution the strong cultural hub it is in over 60 neighborhoods throughout the borough. … I will continue to fight to restore this funding for the millions of people who visit the Queens Libraries each and every day.”
“The idea of closing down Queens libraries due to budget cuts is truly devastating,” added Assemblywoman Grace Meng. “Libraries serve as valuable and irreplaceable resources in the community of Queens. The library is a place that fosters learning for our youth as well provide a wide array of computer classes, ESL programs and other informational seminars for Adults. By closing down libraries and reducing the services offered we are also laying off workers who are important to the operation of these programs and services. It is vital that our libraries get the support they need to continue providing such outstanding services to Queens residents of all ages.”
“People in Queens need and use their libraries. Libraries make a huge impact on the educational and economic landscape. Libraries provide a great return-on-investment,” Galante said. “We are calling on the community to speak up for Queens Library and write to their elected officials, asking them to keep library doors open in every community.”
Queens Library provides free information, computer and internet access, help with homework, free healthcare information, job search services and many other communitybased programs, plus the free loan of millions of books and other library materials in every neighborhood in Queens.
For more information, go to www.savequeenslibrary.org.
