I would urge people to sign the online petition cited in the following article...the NYC City Council is proposing a nearly $7 million budget cut to Queens Libraries, and since this is the 2nd year running for library cuts, it brings the total to over $10 million, if this cut goes thru..!
I feel it's outrageous that the Mayor is proposing these budget cuts to our libraries at a time when the New York City Independent Budget Office projects the city will end the current fiscal year with a surplus of $4.6 billion in their "Analysis of the Mayor’s Executive Budget for 2009"...
It also should be noted that the Queens Library system has more users than either the Brooklyn or Manhattan systems, yet has to fight for funding every budget cycle ...I believe that the library's funding be a separate line item on the budget so they don't have to fight for it yearly...
The Queens Library serves 2.2 million people from 62 locations plus seven Adult Learning Centers and two Family Literacy Centers. It has circulated among the highest number of books and other library materials in the country since 1994, and is the second largest public library in the U.S. in terms of size of collections.
In addition to signing the petition I strongly suggest that individuals call 311 to let Mayor Bloomberg these library services are necessary to our neighborhoods...
To contact Speaker Christine Quinn use this web mail site, her phone and fax numbers are:
Legislative Office Phone
(212) 788-7210
Legislative Office Fax
(212) 788-7207
I would also let your own City Council representative know that you are outraged about these budget cuts, contact information for all council members is located at this web page...
Read original...
Tracy Davies was stunned to learn her library in Astoria might close on Saturdays because of budget cuts.
"It's ridiculous," said Davies, who specializes in making computer Web sites easier to use. "Saturday is the only time a lot of people can get there."
In response, the 44-year-old Astoria resident put her computer knowledge to work and created an online petition against the budget cuts.
All city libraries - including those in Queens - face crippling budget cuts as part of belt-tightening measures.
Queens library officials were told to cut 2.5%, or about $2.1 million, from their current budget.
In addition, they were asked to earmark another 5%, or $4.3 million, in reductions and identify 3%, roughly $2.5 million, in contingency cuts for next year's budget.
Back in March, Queens Library Director Thomas Galante told the City Council that cuts to this year's budget will prevent 10 libraries from staying open seven days a week.
If the 5% cut goes through, 28 libraries would be closed on Saturdays.
The cuts come less than a year after City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Mayor Bloomberg lauded a budget deal that allowed city libraries to stay open six days a week.
Budget negotiations between the administration and the City Council are continuing, but it's unclear if any deal will restore all of the cuts.
"I think library service is definitely a current need," said City Councilman Vincent Gentile (D-Brooklyn) who chairs the Council's Subcommittee on Libraries.
"To have one year of six-day service citywide and then abandon it is insane, especially since you see circulation numbers going through the roof in every borough."
Davies, who also volunteers at her local library in Astoria, fears not enough New Yorkers know what is at risk with the proposed cuts.
"If I weren't a volunteer I wouldn't have known about this," she said.
