In late December of 2022, the administration of Mayor Eric Adams announced it would propose cutting the budget of the New York Public Library system through the Program to Eliminate the Gap. Under this program, the NYPL can have its budget cut by $13.6 million dollars between now to the end of the current fiscal year 2023 (June 2023). Over the next three fiscal years, the NYPL will lose an additional $20.5 million dollars in hopes that the City of New York will offset future budget deficits. 

Understandably, the vision of this citywide program is important; it aims to save $2.5 billion dollars in the next two years by implementing budget cuts for several city agencies. BUT NOT AT THE COST OF THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY! The New York Public Library, Queens Library, and Brooklyn Library systems are essential to our NYC community. They serve people of color, our youth, our elderly- in other words, all people from every demographic, class, borough, etc. The NYPL is open to everyone regardless of background. It provides a wide range of services for its patrons, ranging from internet and printing usage, access to thousands of books and research articles, college assistance programs for our young high school students, community engagement events for all members, language assistance classes, and countless other much-needed programs! Additionally, our public libraries give us quiet spaces if we desire to relax, study, meet others, or even cool down during scorching hot summers (they are NYC authorized cooling centers for the public too). If the public library systems lose funding through these impending budget cuts, that means you will lose out of the great and immense benefits that our libraries offer daily. 

Furthermore, in 2021, the NYPL banned charging late fees for late returns and cleared all previously existing late fines. The NYPL implemented this amazing policy, knowing that it would lose money, but understood that the late fine rule disproportionately impacted low-income New Yorkers and chose to value people's needs over profit. Is this how we as New Yorkers will reward our public libraries? By allowing its budgets to be slashed, thereby resulting in lower wages and salaries for its employees, shorter hours, reduced services, and potential branch closures? 

What can you do about this? Sign this petition to let Mayor Eric Adams and his administration know that you value the NYPL and do not want to see its services reduced! If we do not band together in support of our libraries, they will face continuous budget cuts that will leave disastrous ramifications on both its hardworking staff and us, the patrons of this great city. Time is running short for us to support the NYPL!

Read this article by the Gothamist and this article by Jacobin for more information!