Urban Librarians Unite
www.savenyclibraries.org
savenyclibraries@gmail.com
Save NYC Libraries Postcard Campaign and Urban Librarians Unite Announce Halloween Zombie Walk to Save NYC Public Libraries
October 31, 2010
11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Urban Librarians Unite announce a Halloween Zombie Walk in support of New York City's public libraries, to be held October 31, 2010, beginning at Cadman Plaza, Brooklyn and continuing over the Brooklyn Bridge to commence at City Hall, New York, New York, USA.
The Halloween Zombie Walk brings library-loving New Yorkers together for a day of public theater to draw public attention to the mid-year budget cuts faced by New York City's public libraries. What does any of this have to do with zombies? Well, without libraries there are simply no brains, and zombies need to eat brains to live. With libraries across the city closed on weekends there is a desperate food shortage. So New York City’s zombie librarians will be walking across the Brooklyn Bridge to City Hall this Halloween to protest the drastic cuts to their food supply. These zombies are starving and without the support of the public library their future appears grim.
New York City's three library systems serve 8 million residents from a combined 212 locations, numbering over 43 million visits in FY'09. Since the economic crisis began, library use has been at an all-time high, with many New Yorkers depending on their local library for access to the information, resources, and programs necessary to conduct job searches, complete their education, navigate the Internet, and access public services.
Mayor Bloomberg’s projected mid-year budget adjustment will cut funding for libraries by $16.5 million - 5.4% across the board. This comes on the heels of a devastating August reduction of $30 million that decimated weekend library service. Three years of brutal cuts during the biggest economic crisis in a generation have reduced public library funding by a shocking $74.5 million since 2008, or 20%. Additional cuts will result in further service reductions and layoffs, right before the holiday season. Unless Mayor Bloomberg and the City Council maintain funding, libraries' ability to provide New Yorkers with job search help, afterschool tutoring, computer access and instruction, English classes, and research assistance will be sharply reduced by December 2010.
Dress in your bookish zombie best and march/shamble your way to City Hall to support your local library and feed your brain.
For more information on the Halloween Zombie Walk, please contact savenyclibraries@gmail.com
Showing posts with label New York City. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New York City. Show all posts
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Sunday, June 06, 2010
We Will Not Be Shushed: A 24 Hour Read-In
June 12th -13th 5pm - 5pm
Front Steps of the Brooklyn (NY) Public Library @ Grand Army Plaza
The We Will Not Be Shushed 24-Hour Read-In brings New Yorkers together for 24-hours of continuous public reading to draw attention to budgetary issues. From 5PM Saturday to 5PM Sunday, in 20 minute increments, public library supporters and staff will read aloud from books of their choosing. As a reflection of the wide range of information to be found in libraries, and the diversity of New York City's library patrons, readings will span multiple genres, and include late-night scary stories and a Sunday morning storytime for children.
New York City is famous for its world-class public libraries. The three library systems serve 8 million residents from a combined 212 locations, numbering over 43 million visits in FY'09. Since the economic crisis began, library use has been at an all-time high, with many New Yorkers depending on their local library for access to the information, resources, and programs necessary to conduct job searches, complete their education, navigate the Internet, and access public services.
This year, public libraries are facing devastating budget cuts. Mayor Bloomberg's Executive Budget for FY'11 calls for a reduction in funding of $16.9 million for Queens Library, $20.6 million for Brooklyn Public Library, and $37 million for New York Public Library. This represents a cumulative 30% decrease in funding since 2008.
If enacted, the budget cuts will result in the closure of 40 libraries citywide - 16 branches at Brooklyn Public Library, 14 at Queens Library, and 10 at New York Public Library. 30% of library staff will be laid off, library service hours for many branches will be reduced to 2-3 days, and countless programs that New Yorkers depend on every day will be eliminated. Libraries' ability to assist New Yorkers with job searching, afterschool tutoring, computer access and instruction, English classes, and research will be heavily compromised. Unless the City Council votes to restore funding, library service levels will be sharply reduced by July 1, 2010.
www.savenyclibraries.org
Front Steps of the Brooklyn (NY) Public Library @ Grand Army Plaza
The We Will Not Be Shushed 24-Hour Read-In brings New Yorkers together for 24-hours of continuous public reading to draw attention to budgetary issues. From 5PM Saturday to 5PM Sunday, in 20 minute increments, public library supporters and staff will read aloud from books of their choosing. As a reflection of the wide range of information to be found in libraries, and the diversity of New York City's library patrons, readings will span multiple genres, and include late-night scary stories and a Sunday morning storytime for children.
New York City is famous for its world-class public libraries. The three library systems serve 8 million residents from a combined 212 locations, numbering over 43 million visits in FY'09. Since the economic crisis began, library use has been at an all-time high, with many New Yorkers depending on their local library for access to the information, resources, and programs necessary to conduct job searches, complete their education, navigate the Internet, and access public services.
This year, public libraries are facing devastating budget cuts. Mayor Bloomberg's Executive Budget for FY'11 calls for a reduction in funding of $16.9 million for Queens Library, $20.6 million for Brooklyn Public Library, and $37 million for New York Public Library. This represents a cumulative 30% decrease in funding since 2008.
If enacted, the budget cuts will result in the closure of 40 libraries citywide - 16 branches at Brooklyn Public Library, 14 at Queens Library, and 10 at New York Public Library. 30% of library staff will be laid off, library service hours for many branches will be reduced to 2-3 days, and countless programs that New Yorkers depend on every day will be eliminated. Libraries' ability to assist New Yorkers with job searching, afterschool tutoring, computer access and instruction, English classes, and research will be heavily compromised. Unless the City Council votes to restore funding, library service levels will be sharply reduced by July 1, 2010.
www.savenyclibraries.org
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