On May 23, join our teach-in at BPL Central Library in Brooklyn, hosted with The People’s Plan to address budget-related concerns affecting our libraries. Learn actionable steps to maintain services like weekend operation. Light snacks and refreshments provided. RSVP for the 7-8 pm event at Info Commons Training Lab.
New York City’s Mayor Adams’ budget cuts impair the library services, particularly impacting working families, children, seniors and those in need. The discontinuation of Sunday library services disproportionately affects these groups who depend on these resources. Residents are encouraged to gather on December 17th to challenge these cuts and advocate for the restoration of essential library services.
Urban Librarians Unite (ULU) opposes Mayor Adams’ decision to cut the city budget by 5%, warning it could harm libraries and communities. ULU criticizes the mayor’s tactic of blaming asylum seekers for the budget cut and urges him to find equitable solutions. They reiterate their commitment to advocate for a fair city budget that strengthens the community.
Urban Librarians Unite sent a library focused political questionnaire to all candidates running for New York City political office in 2021, including for Mayor, Comptroller, Public Advocate, Borough President, and 51 City Council seats. We are please to share that over 100 candidates returned the questionnaire, and the responses are now available on our website. … Read more
Urban Librarians Unite is in support of the inclusion of all library workers in public libraries in state and local Phase 1b vaccine distribution plans. Including library workers will protect library staff and help minimize risks to library users and visitors. Libraries are community hubs that are still serving our communities throughout the pandemic, any delay in inoculating librarians and library workers will continue to expose our colleagues to unnecessary risk and delay the reopening of our treasured institutions.
It’s a difficult time for library advocacy Physical library buildings are closed, local budgets are heavily impacted by a lack of revenue, and while the NYC Library budget is largely flat, the future is uncertain. As the Covid-19 pandemic drags on, continued revenue shortages may make libraries a tempting target for budget cuts which could … Read more
From the Board of Urban Librarians Unite, Urban Librarians Unite echoes the call made by Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer this afternoon: Brooklyn Public Library and Queens Public Library should follow the same plan of action as New York Public Library, and close all units until at least March 31st. We understand the vital role public … Read more
*Updated March 12, 2020 There are a number of guides for library administrations and individuals regarding safety with COVID-19, but not as many for mid level managers. ULU Board Members Lauren Bradley and Scott Jarzombek have put together this guide to fill that void and help branch managers make decisions in their own locations. Branch … Read more
This has certainly been a year, and ULU has had a lot to do and say. We held another awesome conference, helped fight back the first cut to library funding in several years, got a TON of books to migrant kids and won awards.The following are some highlights of the donor supported work we have … Read more
Currently the United States Government is holding thousands of children separate and apart from their families in detention centers across the country. Toddlers are being forced to appear in court without their parents, families are being told that if they apply for asylum they will never be reunited, and the government has done nothing more … Read more
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