Call 311 today to support NYC's public libraries

As I've mentioned in other blog posts, New York City's public libraries are again facing staggering budget cuts. Let Mayor Bloomberg know that the programs and services that the New York Public Library, Queens Library, and Brooklyn Public Library provide are crucial to you and the city.



At noon today, Thursday, June 16, call 311 (call 212- 639-9675 if you're outside the city).

It's that time again

It's that time again. Funding for New York City's public libraries is again on the chopping block. We need public libraries now more than ever. Here's how you can help:

Starting at 4pm Saturday, June 11 and running through Sunday, June 12, the advocacy group Save NYC Libraries is hosting another We Will Not Be Shushed 24-hour Read-In on the steps of the Brooklyn Public Library's Grand Army Plaza branch. Sign up here to read or just come by to show your support. Over 1,200 people attended last year's read in to support New York City libraries.

Download and print an advocacy letter and bring it by the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building at Fifth Avenue on June 15 between 5 and 7 p.m. Get 25 or more library lovers to sign advocacy letters and you'll receive a free NYPL Centennial book.

If you can't make these events, you can still do your part by writing, calling, or emailing your New York City council member. Do it now. You'll be doing a great service to our great city.

24 Hour Read In for NYC Libraries!

I've posted about this before. NYC public libraries really are in trouble. Proposed budget cuts will significantly threaten services - an astounding 40 branches may close entirely across the 3 systems while hours, services, and materials will be severely cut back at the remaining branches. And do I need to mention that you'll lose the support of many of your favorite librarians and staffers? Brooklyn Public Library and Queens Library have already handed out pink slips.

Write your council person, write to Mayor Bloomberg.
And join the We Will Not Be Shushed 24 Hour Read In! on the steps of Brooklyn Public Library's Central Branch this Saturday at 5 pm. Come for a little while or stay for the long haul. For more information and to sign up to read or volunteer, visit SaveNYCLibraries

NYC Public Libraries are in trouble

The New York Society Library may be the oldest library in NYC, but we're not the only library in town. We love our local public library too.

If you haven't heard, New York City's public libraries are in trouble. Proposed budget cuts could mean signficant numbers of branch closings (10 at NYPL, 14 in Queens, and 16 throughout Brooklyn), fewer hours (especially weekend hours) at the remaining branches and a drastic reduction in materials and services (BPL estimates 6 million fewer library materials than are currently purchased).

Here's how you can let the City Council know how much New York needs its public libraries:

Join tomorrow's rally at Queens Library's Flushing branch:
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Flushing Library, 41-17 Main Street, take the 7 right to the end

Come out on Saturday and participate in Brooklyn Public Library's Love Your Library Day:
Saturday, May 15, 2010
10:00am - 4:00pm
Central Library, Plaza
10 Grand Army Plaza
Brooklyn, NY

Tell your Council Members what you think about the proposed cuts! Fill out this online form from the New York Public Library, this one from Brooklyn Public, or sign the Queens Library petition. Better yet, send a personalized postcard to your Council Member TODAY.