Letitia James calls on City Council to restore library funding
Public Advocate Letitia James, a former Brooklyn councilperson, last week sent a letter to City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, calling on the City Council to increase funding for New York City’s three public library systems – the Brooklyn Public Library, the New York Public Library and the Queens Public Library.
The mayor’s Fiscal Year 2016 Executive Budget for public library operating expenses has decreased by $10 million since last year, despite an increased need for funding. James is urging the City Council to restore the funding level of the city’s public libraries to $65 million.
James believes additional funding is necessary to keep library branches open at least six days a week and to expand hours to better serve working families.