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 ]

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The Skillset Podcast #9: Ilona Kisch on Public Library 2030

It’s largely accepted as a truism that libraries connect and work together—interlibrary loan, consortia, union catalogs. However, working together and connecting is not a simple task. Add in different histories, cultures, languages, political systems and you begin to get a sense of what... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-12-11 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Jeremy O. Harris is donating a collection of plays by Black writers to libraries across the country.

On Late Night with Seth Meyers this week, Slave Play and Daddy playwright Jeremy O. Harris announced he is donating a collection of 15 plays by Black playwrights to 53 libraries and community centers across the United States—and is donating one such collection to Northwestern University in Seth... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2020-12-09 17:29:54 UTC ]
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The Most Popular Under-The-Radar Books in U.S. Libraries: July–September 2020

Take a peek at the most popular under-the-radar books in public libraries across the United States for the 2020 third quarter. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2020-12-09 11:33:00 UTC ]
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What a History of Book-Burning Can Tell Us About Preserving Knowledge Today

Lack of funding for libraries is as dangerous as any conquering army in this chronicle of information destroyed throughout the ages. Continue reading at Slate

[ Slate | 2020-12-08 21:32:42 UTC ]
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Okayama City libraries let patrons sterilize their books with the power of UV light.

Another win for technology! Library users in Okayama City are able to check out library books without fear of illness, thanks to a high-tech ultraviolet light sterilizer that cleans books thoroughly. The sterilizer also blows air on the books to clear off potential dust. Said one library-goer,... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2020-12-08 16:44:03 UTC ]
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Low infection rate shows safety measures work, Libraries Connected says

A survey of library services shows 1.4% of staff have tested positive for Covid-19 since reopening in July, suggesting safety measures have worked, according to Libraries Connected. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-12-07 11:43:42 UTC ]
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P.E.I. announces 4 new COVID-19 cases; restrictions on schools, restaurants, shopping

Prince Edward Island has decided that restaurants will be shut to indoor dining, organized sports will be suspended and libraries and gyms will close for at least the next two weeks in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Continue reading at CBC

[ CBC | 2020-12-06 22:51:28 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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Amazon Publishing in Talks to Offer E-books to Public Libraries

The potential deal would be a breakthrough moment in the library e-book market as Amazon currently does not make its digital content available to libraries. It would also be a major coup for the Digital Public Library of America's upstart e-book platform and its SimplyE library reading app. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-12-04 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Frankfurt Academic Conference: Libraries and Publishing in Europe and the States

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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-12-02 19:20:28 UTC ]
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One of Europe’s Great Libraries Didn’t Stand a Chance… In Either of the World Wars

Exactly a century after the burning of Washington another invading army encountered a library, and saw it as a perfect way to strike a blow at the heart of their enemy. This time the action would have a global impact, as the means of spreading news had been transformed in the century since the... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2020-12-02 09:48:49 UTC ]
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Why Are Chicago Public Libraries Still Open Amid Soaring COVID Rates?

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[ Book Riot | 2020-11-27 15:17:51 UTC ]
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Take a Tour of Octavia Butler’s Favorite Libraries

The interactive map features photographs of the Kindred author's book call slips, writing notebooks, personal journals and more. The post Take a Tour of Octavia Butler’s Favorite Libraries appeared first on The Millions. Continue reading at The Millions

[ The Millions | 2020-11-25 21:30:44 UTC ]
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The Libraries of My Life

My library is a response to the void of my parents’ house: there are traces of all the public libraries I’ve visited since childhood. Continue reading at The Paris Review

[ The Paris Review | 2020-11-25 15:50:04 UTC ]
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Now Is the Time to Finally Close the Digital Divide

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-11-20 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Italy’s ‘Why I Read’ Campaign Flies Again

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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-11-18 17:11:45 UTC ]
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Will Dutch library ban on 'Black Pete' books spell end for 'racist' festive tradition?

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[ The Guardian | 2020-11-15 10:10:52 UTC ]
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Making virtual local

When we started planning Book Week Scotland 2020, the natural fit for the theme was future: the year was filled with exciting possibilities and interactive, grassroot community projects. At Scottish Book Trust, planning that started in February soon shuddered to a halt: although we didn’t know... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-11-10 20:24:05 UTC ]
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