Speak out for Libraries

Budget cuts are looming — and we must protect our libraries.

As we continue to navigate the most challenging time in recent history, the importance of our local libraries cannot be overstated. Brooklyn Public Library continues to play a critical role in helping Brooklynites and our borough recover from the ongoing challenges we face.

Today, you and your Brooklyn neighbors have the power to help keep our libraries strong as city leaders make very difficult budget decisions for the coming year.

Our branches are in service, whether they are providing grab-and-go book pickup and returns, or limited browsing and computer service, serving as Learning Labs for our City’s school kids, or helping with NYC’s Test + Trace and vaccination efforts as we battle the pandemic—all while we continue to serve our borough with virtual programs and even more digital books. We’re helping people of all ages access the support they need right now.

With BPL’s virtual programming, you can access live tutoring for students, story time in multiple languages, assistance for job seekers, online education classes, mentoring for small business owners and so much more—all from home.

We’re keeping the learning in our communities going. And we need to protect and restore critical library funding in order to continue this important work.

Our libraries are essential—they improve our borough and our entire diverse city. Won't you share your love of libraries with elected officials by sending them a letter right now? (It only takes a minute!)

Libraries make Brooklyn stronger. We are so grateful that you are standing with us and we can’t wait to see you in our branches.

Title

First Name *

Last Name *

Address *

Address 2

Borough *

State *

Zip Code *

Email *

Phone

Include the name of the library worker you support

Message *

Dear Mayor de Blasio, Speaker Johnson, Majority Leader Cumbo, Libraries Chair Van Bramer, Finance Chair Dromm and your city council member

First, thank you for supporting libraries—especially my local Brooklyn Public Library. Today, I’m writing to ask that you protect my library as you make funding decisions in the upcoming budget.
 
The library is helping people of all ages access the assistance they need right now—from helping people get COVID-19 tests, or vaccine appointments, to providing virtual learning opportunities of all kinds. Whether online or in-person, the library is—and will remain—among the most democratic institutions in the City.

In the past year, our libraries have pivoted on every front and worked harder than ever to keep our borough strong. Library patrons of all ages—including myself—have relied on our library through the many months of the pandemic, and we will continue to rely on the library as we rebuild our lives. Whether we need homework help, resume and job seeking assistance or are learning to read, the library is here for all of us.

I know you’re making a number of incredibly challenging decisions right now, and as you do, I urge you to do all you can to protect funding for Brooklyn Public Library—the institution that has been here for our community for more than a century.

Our libraries are essential—they improve our borough and our entire diverse city.

Your decision to support the work of the library and preserve its funding means my local library can continue to be there for me when I need it most. Thank you for your continued commitment to our community and our libraries!

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