Join Us in Telling NYC Leaders: No Cuts to Libraries!

On Tuesday, March 12, the presidents of The New York Public Library, the Brooklyn Public Library, and Queens Public Library gathered to testify at a City Council hearing about the proposed $58.3 million in cuts and funding reductions for libraries in next year’s budget—and warn against the devastating impacts these cuts could have on the delivery of Library services and resources. 

Libraries have already had to make tough decisions about services. In November 2023, in order to meet a mid-year cut imposed by the City, they were forced to end seven-day service across the city, as well as reduce spending on materials, programming, and maintenance at their branches.

At the hearing, the presidents testified to the impacts these proposed $58.3M in cuts would have on libraries. The proposed additional cuts, if enacted, will have devastating impacts on NYPL including—

• The majority of our branches moving to five-day service (currently all branches are open six days a week);
• Delays in the reopening of newly renovated branches;
• And further reductions in spending on library materials, programming, and building maintenance and repairs. 

Library supporters rallied together in City Hall Park before the hearing, underscoring the importance of NYC’s public libraries to the neighborhoods they serve. New York City's public libraries provide critical free resources—from storytimes to ESOL classes to after-school support—to our communities at a time when they desperately need them. 

This rally marks the launch of public libraries’ advocacy campaign to engage library lovers and supporters from across New York City to tell our elected officials: No Cuts to Libraries! At the start of this year's City budget process, it's important that our elected officials hear from supporters like you. It takes just a minute to join us and tell City leaders how important it is to fully fund our public libraries.