On Politics: Eric Adams' library cuts would sever a vital lifeline

One of the great embarrassments of New York, the richest city in America, is how money can’t be found to keep public libraries open every single day.It is, truly, a matter of priorities. Other far-reaching, progressive policy proposals can come with enormous upfront costs — municipal or statewide single-payer healthcare comes to mind — but there’s really no reason why the city can’t pay to keep libraries open every Saturday and Sunday.Mayor Eric Adams, in his executive budget, has proposed to keep the cuts to the library system that he ordered starting last year. If he has his way — and given his deteriorating relationship with the City Council, he might not — the library system will lose $58.3 million. If the cuts go through, library service citywide would be curtailed to five days a week, according to the presidents of the Brooklyn, Queens, and New York Public Libraries.Since 2015, when Bill de Blasio boosted funding to the library system, six-day service has been the norm. This is not ideal, but it is better than five, which would see crucial weekend service evaporate entirely. Most library branches in the city are already closed on Sunday. Thanks to midyear budget cuts in November, seven-day service — available sparingly before then — is gone. The cuts would also mean delaying the renovations of certain branches.Democrats in the City Council might successfully oppose Adams. This dynamic recalls the “budget dance” that was common during Michael Bloomberg’s mayoralty.... Continue reading at 'Crains New York'

[ Crains New York | 2024-04-29 15:50:14 UTC ]
News tagged with: #physical spaces #vital lifelines #working class #remain bulwarks #educational system #community centers #unnecessary punishment #weekend service #budgeting shows #primary election #political oxygen #modern times #ross barkan #lose $58 #— libraries #libraries #public libraries

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On Politics: Eric Adams' library cuts would sever a vital lifeline

One of the great embarrassments of New York, the richest city in America, is how money can’t be found to keep public libraries open every single day.It is, truly, a matter of priorities. Other far-reaching, progressive policy proposals can come with enormous upfront costs — municipal or... Continue reading at Crains New York

[ Crains New York | 2024-04-29 15:50:14 UTC ]
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Tensions surface at Somos about Israel, Brooklyn politics and Adams investigation

The mayor, Israel and Democratic Party drama all lurked beneath the sunny surface. Continue reading at Crains New York

[ Crains New York | 2023-11-11 16:54:57 UTC ]
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Oklahoma public library’s sexual content ban also cuts abuse prevention program and Pride displays.

In today’s “why do we have to share a country with these jackasses” news, the board of the public library of Enid and Garfield County in Enid, Oklahoma, voted 3-2 to ban “book displays and library programs that focus on sexual content”—which resulted in the library cancelling not only an adult... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-04-20 17:26:39 UTC ]
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Almost three-quarters of schools cut library provision through pandemic

A new survey from charity Read for Good, which has donated bundles of books to 50 schools nationwide, has found school library funding has been hit by the pandemic. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-07-03 13:06:00 UTC ]
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Libraries are lifelines

The Library Campaign has warned that hundreds of libraries may close not only for the pandemic, but permanently. With councils under financial strain and Walsall’s council leader even asking, “Do we need [them]?”, the future of libraries needs protecting. Libraries are an indispensable service... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-03-01 00:31:07 UTC ]
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CILIP calls for National Library of Wales cuts to be abandoned

CILIP,  the Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals, has called for planned cuts to the National Library of Wales to be abandoned, ahead of a debate in the Senedd today (3rd February). Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-02-03 06:32:21 UTC ]
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Library spending fell by £20m in 2019/20 amid warnings of further cuts

New figures show total spending on Great Britain's libraries fell by £20m in the last financial year, as Libraries Connected warned more budget reductions are on the way. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-12-04 10:12:19 UTC ]
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The Skillset Podcast #3: Politics and Libraries with EveryLibrary's John Chrastka

With the election days away, this is the perfect time to remember that public libraries exist in a political as well as a civic space. In this episode, hosts David Lankes and Nicole Cooke talk to John Chrastka, head of EveryLibrary, the country’s only political action committee for libraries,... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-10-30 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Library campaigners accuse Essex council of 'stealth' cuts

Essex library campaigners are planning new protests after accusing the council of planning library cuts “by stealth”. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-07-16 14:49:13 UTC ]
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Fitzcarraldo Editions snaps up 'vital' Preciado gender politics book

Fitzcarraldo Editions has snapped up a “vital” book on gender politics by Paul B Preciado, including an account of the author’s own transition. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-05-21 18:18:01 UTC ]
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Bradford libraries face £2m cuts

Bradford libraries are facing up to £2m in cuts, 65% of the budget, over the next two years, as the local council outlines plans to turn existing libraries into “community hubs”.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-01-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Blackadder actor brands Bristol councillors 'stupid' over library cuts

Blackadder actor Tony Robinson has expressed his anger at Bristol councillors over their plans to close 17 of the city's libraries, calling them "stupid bastards" on social media. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-02-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Library cuts planned in Wales and Lincolnshire

Lincolnshire and Powys are the latest councils to come under the spotlight for planned cuts to their public library service. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-08-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Open Book closes as library centralisation and cuts hit

A government move to offer library supply contracts to foreign firms has spelled the end for the 27-year-old Open Book Company, with six roles affected and the wider trade outraged. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-07-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Graeme Macrae Burnet backs campaign against Scottish library cuts

Man Booker shortlisted author Graeme Macrae Burnet has backed a national campaign against Scottish library cuts, launching today (14th February). Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-02-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Libraries minister visits Lancashire over cuts

Libraries minister Rob Wilson met with Lancashire County Council this week as part of an investigation into the council’s controversial plans to close 28 libraries. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-01-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Heartbreaking' cuts to Swindon library service finalised

Swindon Council's scrutiny committee has passed plans to close two thirds of the town's libraries by the end of August 2017. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-12-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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CILIP urges Westminster to rethink library cuts

The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) has called on Westminster City Council to halt proposed cuts to the library budget of £750,000 a year "until a proper public consultation has been carried out". Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-10-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Adam Bellow to Launch New Politics Imprint at SMP

St. Martin's Press has announced the imminent launch of a new, as-yet-untitled imprint, which will publish books focusing on political and current affairs. Adam Bellow will lead the line as editorial director, effective October 24. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-10-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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DCMS to investigate 'disgraceful' Lancashire library cuts

The government is to investigate plans by Lancashire County Council to close 21 libraries in a move which has been slammed as "disgraceful" by campaigners. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-10-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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