Protesters Gather Against Planned Budget Cuts for Public Libraries at City Hall

Dozens of protesters gather in front of the City Hall against planned budget cuts for public libraries.

Public library system leaders from New York, Brooklyn and Queens turned out for the protest.

“Tony Marx, President of @NYPL, speaking now about why the services libraries provide to seniors and other underserved communities are critical. The cuts will only hurt New Yorkers who need our services the most,” the message read. on social networks about the protest and appearance before the municipal council.

Tony Marx, President of @NYPLspeaking now about why the services libraries provide to seniors and other underserved communities are crucial. Cuts will only hurt those New Yorkers who need our services most. #NoCutsToLibraries pic.twitter.com/SRza0zNsTH

— NYC Libraries (@NYCLibraries) May 18, 2023

The participants allege that the possible reductions reach an average of 36 million dollars.

And they affirm that if the proposal is fulfilled they would be forced to reduce the hours of attention and eliminate services on weekends.

“Thank you to everyone who supported @BKLYNlibrary, @nypl and @QPLNYC at City Hall today! #NoCutsToLibraries

“Send a letter in support of New York Public Libraries:

“Retweet yes ❤️ libraries! 📚,” read another message about the protest and the cuts.

Thank you to everyone who stood with @BKLYNlibrary, @nypland @QPLNYC today at City Hall! #NoCutsToLibraries

Send a letter in support of NYC’s public libraries:

Retweet if you ❤️ libraries! 📚

Photo credit: William Alatriste/New York City Council pic.twitter.com/F3t6Y7NPI7

— Queens Public Library (@QPLNYC) May 19, 2023

One of the local politicians who attended the protest was Lower Manhattan Councilwoman Carlina Rivera.

“I grew up going to local libraries on the East Side and it changed my life,” Rivera wrote in a social media post. “They are more than books: they are critical centers of resources and information. The doors of the library are open to all and I will continue to fight to secure more resources for you.”

I grew up going to local libraries on the East Side and it changed my life. They are more than books – they’re critical hubs for resources and information. The doors of the library are open to everyone, and I will keep fighting to secure more resources for them #nocutstolibraries pic.twitter.com/hNBZMH9qjl

— Carlina Rivera (@CarlinaRivera) May 18, 2023

Councilor Pierina Sanchez also posted a message on social media about the protest over the planned cuts to the library system.

“The library was my safe haven growing up, it’s where I studied and had access to the world. Libraries played a crucial role in my growth as a young person.

“So many more New Yorkers thrive when they use our libraries, cutting their funding is not the way we support New Yorkers,” the councilwoman said.

The library was my safe haven growing up, it’s where I studied and had access to the world. Libraries played a crucial role in my growth as a youth.

So many more NYers thrive when they use our libraries, cutting its funding is not how we support NYers. #NoCutsToLibraries pic.twitter.com/p5PiPrpTjE

— Council Member Pierina Sanchez (@CMPiSanchez) May 18, 2023

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