Local council members, activists and children rallied on the steps of city hall on May 22 during a press conference demanding that Mayor Bloomberg restore the proposed $106 million budget cuts to libraries throughout New York City.

Banner created in support of NYC libraries

Council members Jimmy Van Bramer and Vincent J. Gentile, who considered themselves the “dynamic duo for libraries,” led the rally along side several other City Council members and organizations. The rally began with a “save our libraries” chant by children and activists, who showed support in the fight against the proposed budget cuts to NYC libraries.

Queens Library President and CEO Thomas Galante, New York Public Library President and CEO Anthonry Marx, and Brooklyn Public Library President and CEO Linda Johnson also attended the rally.

“Children of the city of New York need their libraries,” said Council member Van Bramer. “They need them open and they need them funded.”

Council Member Van Bramer felt it was important for the children of New York City to tell Mayor Bloomberg directly why fully funded libraries are important and beneficial to the children. While several Council members delivered brief statements in support of libraries, children delivered speeches from a mini-podium as well.

“Libraries give us a chance to have adventures and libraries cannot be taken for granted,” said Preston Ferraiuolo, a 3^rd grader from Brooklyn. “Vote no to library budget cuts.”

Third-grader Preston Ferraiuolo, of Brooklyn, delivering his speech on why NYC libraries need to be fully funded.

Director of communications for Queens Library, Joanne King, stated that Queens Library alone is facing $29.6 million in budget cuts, which would force 36 libraries to close and cause 420 staff members to be laid off. King also stated that more than 75% of New Yorkers use their public libraries, but libraries account for less than half of 1% of the City’s budget. Van Bramer and Gentile’s new legislation is intended to create stable funding to all libraries throughout New York City.

“We all know how important the libraries are for today and for the future,” said New York Public Library President and CEO Anthony Marx. “We are going to get those cuts restored and then we’re going to build from there.”