Procession around City Hall will end at Rally for at City Hall Park
NEW YORK, NY, May 18, 2023 – On May 18th, 2023, at 10 am, a funeral procession was held to mourn the grave loss of funding to libraries if proposed cuts aren’t reversed. The procession of mourners, including librarians, patrons, supporters, New Yorkers and library lovers, was led by 20 empty and shrouded book trucks, symbolizing the death of access to libraries as we know them should this draconian budget cut become reality.
The procession ended at City Hall park, where mourners joined a larger rally for library funding. The rally took pace just prior to Executive Budget Hearings in City Hall.
The libraries of New York City have long been a cornerstone of education and learning for millions of residents of all ages. Our communities rely on their services, space and shared resources.
The Executive Budget proposed by the Mayoral administration proposes slashing $36.2 million from public libraries in all five boroughs, which the library systems report will have a devastating impact on essential services they provide to our communities.
“We are tired of fighting for what is so obviously needed. Public libraries face the same challenges as the city as a whole and we offer smart, sustainable solutions, free of charge, to all. We are on the front lines of immigrant education and access to benefits, of senior supports, of afterschool education, of the homeless crisis, the opioid crisis, the influx of migrants, and the lifelong continued education for every New Yorker. This is no way to run a city, we can do better.”
Without proper funding, their vital services are at risk.
“We are calling on our elected officials on both sides of City Hall, to prioritize funding for libraries, restore these cuts, at minimum, to ensure that they can continue to serve their communities.”
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Zara Nasir – The People’s Plan
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Urban Librarians Unite is an independent non profit professional association dedicated to supporting urban library workers in their mission to create community centered libraries. We focus on advocacy for urban libraries, professional development and staff support activities. To learn more about our work visit us at www.urbanlibrariansunite.org and come see us on Facebook and Twitter.
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