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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Crace wins 2015 IMPAC award

Jim Crace’s Harvest (Picador) has won the 2015 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. Crace was announced as the winner of the €100,000 prize, awarded for a single novel published in English, today (17th June) at Mansion House in Dublin. The IMPAC receives its nominations from public... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-06-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Vaizey keen on national library framework

Libraries minister Ed Vaizey has said he is “keen” on the idea of creating a national libraries framework, and urged senior librarians to contribute to discussions on how it can be achieved. The framework could set out guidelines on how public libraries are structured and what they offer. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-06-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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All libraries in England to get wi-fi funding

The government will provide funding to give wi-fi access to all public libraries across England, chanceller George Osborne revealed yesterday (18th March) is his pre-election budget speech. The budget document said that £7.4m would be provided to fund wi-fi. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-03-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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ALA Midwinter 2015: BISG and ALA Announce Library Survey

The jointly developed survey will seek to understand library patrons’ use of digital resources and other services offered by public libraries. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-02-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Library scheme to support dementia sufferers

Government ministers will today (26th January) launch a scheme to provide books for people with dementia via public libraries. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-01-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Now Trending on Twitter: Public Libraries

Using the hashtag #becauseofapubliclibrary, Ferguson (Mo.) Municipal Public Library library director Scott Bonner sparked an outpouring of library love from the Twitterverse after he tweeted “I was able to help our community.” Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Government must fund digital resource for libraries, says Sieghart

The Sieghart review into public libraries, to be published today (18th December), calls on central government to give local authorities the funding to create a national digital resource for libraries, with free Wi-fi as standard, and workforce training for all public libraries in England. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-12-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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France signs library ebook loan charter

French Culture Minister Fleur Pellerin has signed a 12-point charter with 10 book organisations in France to promote the loan of ebooks in public libraries. The 10 represent local authorities, libraries, publishers, booksellers and authors and the 12 points include access to all titles... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-12-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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ASCEL: 'public libraries can help children with digital'

Public libraries have a vital role in helping children navigate the digital landscape, the Association of Senior Children's and Education Librarians (ASCEL) said in a report issued today (2nd December). Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-12-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Crowd-funded A to Z promotes diverse role of libraries

A group of librarians have launched a new crowd-funded project called the Library A to Z, designed to promote the role of public libraries. More than 150 backers, as well sponsor the Library Campaign, backed the Library A to Z on crowd-funding site Kickstarter, raising more than £4,500, twice... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-11-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Aspen Institute Report Urges Public Library Transformation

A new report from the Aspen Institute looks at the importance of U.S. public libraries, and how they can change and improve to meet new roles in the 21st Century. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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New Pew Report Explores Young Americans' Library Habits

A new report from the Pew Research Center Internet Project offers mixed news for public libraries. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-09-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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How Graphic are These Novels?

Read with caution: in September, a number of libraries will invite patrons to read comics and graphic novels that have been challenged or banned in schools and public libraries in recent years. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-08-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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VfL celebrates 50th anniversary of Public Libraries Act

Voices for the Library is marking the 50th anniversary of the Public Libraries and Museums Act by... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-07-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Working-class fiction has been written out of publishing

Everyone is the poorer for publishers' widespread assumption that nobody wants to read about this part of societyI have spent the last 25 years selling and then publishing books, so I read with interest Melvyn Bragg's recent comments on working-class characters in fiction being stereotyped and... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-06-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Libraries' economic contribution 'can only be measured long-term'

Public libraries have an economic impact on their communities that far exceeds their "... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-06-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Ingram Beefs Up MyiLibrary

Ingram announced that it has added content from Hachette Book Group, O'Reilly Media and Kensington Publishing to MyiLibrary, its ebook platform for academic and public libraries. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Smashwords, OverDrive Ink Distribution Deal

Smashwords, an ebook self-publishing platform, and digital library vendor OverDrive have reached an agreement to distribute 200,000 ebooks via the OverDrive global network of public libraries. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Tips for Librarians: Spanish Books Spring 2014

While many public libraries in the U.S. have been serving Spanish-speaking patrons for years, in some parts of the country libraries are just beginning to engage this part of the community. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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“What Does All This Have To Do With Libraries?”

For me, the Public Library Association (PLA) Conference—held every two years—is the single most important event for gauging where public libraries are headed. And this month’s event, held in Indianapolis, Ind. (March 11-15), didn’t disappoint. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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