New York City Council
Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations
Feb 26, 2024
·
01:00 PM
2 hr 4 min
Summary
A hearing on book banning across the country, emphasizing libraries' defense of free access to diverse literature and resistance to censorship. Discussions included libraries' strategies against book bans, their importance in democracy and cultural inclusivity, and the impact of city budget cuts on these efforts. Featured testimonies from the president of the New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, Queens Public Library, PEN America, American Library Association, and the public.
Meeting chapters
Read summaries and watch videos for short segments that matter to you.
Anthony W. Marx, President of New York Public Library on Defending Democracy and Liberty Through Diverse Information Accessibility
Anthony W. Marx, President of the New York Public Library, delivers testimony about the crucial role libraries play in promoting democracy, liberty, and diverse information accessibility. He highlights the efforts …
0:00:00
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6 min
Dennis Walcott, President of Queen's Public Library on Supporting Freedom of Expression and Denouncing Book Banning
Dennis Walcott, serving as the President of the Queen's Public Library, provides testimony emphasizing the library's commitment to supporting freedom of expression and its firm stance against the banning of …
0:06:31
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6 min
Do you believe that New Yorkers are sufficiently aware of the threat that stems from banning books, considering that books are not being banned in the city's public libraries?
Council Member Carlina Rivera asks the panel if they believe New Yorkers are sufficiently aware of the threat related to banning books, especially since such bans aren't occurring in the …
0:13:17
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4 min
When books are banned in other parts of the country, does it change how New York is able to access books at all, whether it's digital copies or physical copies?
Carlina Rivera, a council member, inquires if book bans in other parts of the country affect New York's access to books, whether digital or physical. The response received clarifies that, …
0:17:32
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13 sec
Have you faced pressure locally to ban books or remove certain books from your book sales?
Council Member Carlina Rivera poses a question about whether there has been local pressure to ban books or remove certain titles from book sales. In response, Linda E. Johnson, President …
0:17:47
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84 sec
Do you believe that New Yorkers are generally aware of the work you all have done in libraries to fight book banning nationwide?
Council Member Carlina Rivera inquires about the awareness among New Yorkers of the efforts made by libraries in combating nationwide book banning. Anthony W. Marx, President of the New York …
0:19:11
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33 sec
Which strategies do you feel have effective to help spread the word about your fight against book banning?
Council Member Carlina Rivera asks Dennis Walcott, President of the Queens Public Library, about effective strategies for raising awareness and spreading the word on issues related to book banning and …
0:19:45
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46 sec
Why are teens especially important in your anti-banning efforts?
This chapter begins with Council Member Carlina Rivera acknowledging the significant work done in anti-banning initiatives targeting teenagers, and asking Anthony W. Marx, President of the New York Public Library, …
0:20:53
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5 min
How do you anticipate that city budget cuts in the immediate future will affect your ability to continue this fight? What will the public be losing on this front as a result of any cuts?
The question raised concerns about the impact of imminent city budget cuts on the continuance of advocacy against right-wing groups targeting communities and on public access to books and programs …
0:26:44
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4 min
How much does it cost to to run and operate the programs that you are operating in response to the book bans that we're seeing in this country?
Council Member Chi Ossé inquires about the operational costs of programs in response to book bans in the United States across three library systems. Linda E. Johnson, President of the …
0:31:52
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59 sec
How will the proposed $20,300,000 cuts in the fiscal year 2025 budget impact the library systems' abilities?
Council Member Chi Ossé inquires about the impact of a proposed $20,300,000 cut in the fiscal year 2025 budget on the abilities of the three library systems to operate, specifically …
0:32:53
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5 min
Do you have disaggregated data in terms of your visitors regarding race, ethnicity, LGBTQ, or other demographics?
Council Member Crystal Hudson asks Linda E. Johnson of the Brooklyn Public Library and Anthony W. Marx of the New York Public Library about whether they have disaggregated data pertaining …
0:38:53
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178 sec
Can you tell us about the staff behind the anti-book banning initiatives?
Council Member Crystal Hudson inquires about the team staffing the anti-book banning programs, emphasizing the curiosity over staff retention amid budget cuts. Linda E. Johnson, President of the Brooklyn Public …
0:42:08
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3 min
How could the city council better support your work?
Council Member Crystal Hudson inquires how the city council can improve its support for the work being done by the Brooklyn Public Library, represented by Linda E. Johnson, its President. …
0:45:30
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23 sec
Dennis Walcott Advocates for Baselining in Budget Discussions
In his remarks, Dennis Walcott, the President of the Queen's Public Library, discusses the concept of baselining in budget discussions. He emphasizes the importance of baselining for stability and predictability …
0:45:53
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80 sec
How is the New York Public Library ensuring access to books amidst censorship?
Council Member Shahana Hanif inquires about the steps the New York Public Library (NYPL) takes to ensure New Yorkers have access to books amidst heightened censorship, specifically regarding Palestinian authors …
0:48:29
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98 sec
How are libraries curating collections for diverse communities and subject areas?
Council Member Shahana Hanif questions the library presidents about their curation practices, especially for thematic weeks and various communities. The discussion reveals a complex selection process involving algorithms, local branch …
0:50:07
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3 min
Will the Queen's Public Library continue programs focusing on often-banned books?
Council Member Kamillah Hanks inquires if the Queen's Public Library intends to maintain and potentially expand programs that emphasize often banned books. Dennis Walcott, President of the Queen's Public Library, …
0:54:18
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3 min
How do libraries engage with local schools, community organizations, and citywide initiatives?
Council Member Kamillah Hanks inquires about how libraries, specifically the Queen's Public Library, engage with local schools, community organizations, and citywide initiatives to raise awareness and promote intellectual freedom. Dennis …
0:57:19
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115 sec
What kinds or organizations are partnering with New York libraries in the anti-book banning initiative?
Council Member Kamillah Hanks inquires about the partnerships formed by New York libraries, specifically with organizations such as Huddl, in their anti-book banning initiative. Anthony W. Marx, President of the …
0:59:25
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79 sec
Jonathan Friedman on Free Expression and Education at PEN America
Jonathan Friedman, Director of Free Expression and Education Programs at PEN America, speaks about the challenges to free expression and educational content across the United States. He highlights the ongoing …
1:02:17
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3 min
Emily Drabinsky on the Mission and Challenges Faced by American Library Association
Emily Drabinsky, President of the American Library Association, provides detailed remarks on the mission and challenges faced by the association. She highlights the foundational mission of ALA to enhance learning …
1:05:42
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3 min
What are the most common tactics you see to banning books and do you see any signs of those tactics in New York City?
The chapter discusses the tactics used in book banning, highlighting common practices such as local activists' and school boards' involvement in challenging school books. Testimonies from Jonathan Friedman and Emily …
1:08:55
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4 min
How would you rate the book banning crisis across the US on a scale of 1 to 10?
Council Member Carlina Rivera inquires about the severity of the book banning crisis across the US, asking for a rating on a scale from 1 to 10. Emily Drabinsky, President …
1:13:51
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146 sec
What are PEN America and the American Library Association's opinion of the work being done by our library systems?
Council Member Carlina Rivera inquires about the opinions of Emily Drabinsky and Jonathan Friedman on the performance of New York City's public libraries and their potential for doing more with …
1:16:17
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3 min
If it appropriate for the city council to play a role in fighting against banning books, and what more could we be doing?
Council Member Carlina Rivera questions Emily Drabinsky and Jonathan Friedman on the city council's role in combating book banning. Drabinsky acknowledges the issue's severity in New York and suggests focusing …
1:19:44
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166 sec
Sofia Cachenko on the significance of libraries for teenagers
Sofia Cachenko, a student from the Queens Schools for the Sciences, presents a heartfelt testimony on the vital role libraries play in the lives of teenagers. She starts by highlighting …
1:23:29
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3 min
Adelaide Zendeski on the impact of early childhood literacy
Adelaide Zendeski, a high school sophomore and a participant in the Brooklyn Public Library Story Team Program, delivers testimony on the importance of early childhood literacy, detailing how foundational learning …
1:26:46
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157 sec
Nana Adwoa Agyemang on banned books and free access to education
Nana Adwoa Agyemang, serving as a Teen Reading Ambassador for the New York Public Library, testified about the library's efforts to combat book bans and emphasize the importance of unrestricted …
1:29:28
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3 min
Flame, a storytelling with Drag Story Hour NYC on the importance of free expression
Flame, a storyteller with Drag Story Hour NYC, testifies about the organization's mission to offer storytelling and creative arts programming for children in various community spaces throughout New York City. …
1:33:51
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162 sec
George Sarah Olkin, President, Local 1482 Brooklyn Library Guild Testifies on Book Banning and Democracy
George Sarah Olkin, President of Local 1482 Brooklyn Library Guild and a bookmobile driver, emphasizes the vital role of library workers in opposing book bans and strengthening democracy through accessibility …
1:36:37
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3 min
Do you believe our library's activities can make any real difference in an nationwide fight against book banning?
In this chapter, NYC City Council Member Carlina Rivera engages in dialogue with George Sarah Olken, President of Local 1482 Brooklyn Library Guild, and Debra Altman, President of Local 1930 …
1:40:46
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165 sec
For Flame from Drag Story Hour NYC: Why do you continue your work despite challenges in NYC?
Council Member Carlina Rivera questions Flame, a storyteller from Drag Story Hour NYC, about her continued dedication to providing representation and support amid challenges in New York City. Flame shares …
1:43:33
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86 sec
Lauren Camito, Executive Director of Urban Libraries Unites on Challenges and Perseverance of Library Workers Amid Book Bans
Lauren Camito, Executive Director of Urban Librarians Unite, shares insights on supporting library workers through stress, trauma, and the culture war against book bans. Highlighting initiatives like the urban library …
1:46:06
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3 min
Amaya Perez, Co-Chapter Leader from Gays Against Groomers Testifies on Explicit Content in Youth Literature
Amaya Perez, Co-Chapter Leader for Gays Against Groomers, addresses concerns over explicit content in youth literature, focusing on two specific books: 'Gender Queer' and 'This Book is Gay.' Perez critiques …
1:50:18
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3 min
Christopher Leon Johnson, Member of the Public, Testifies on Opposition to Drag Story Hour and Library Policies
Christopher Leon Johnson, presenting as a member of the public, voices strong opposition to Drag Story Hour, criticizing city council and library leadership for endorsing what he perceives as perverse …
1:53:26
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178 sec
Council Member Carlina Rivera Speaks on Representation
Council Member Carlina Rivera emphasizes the importance of representing the diverse interests, dreams, and values of New York City's people. She underscores the crucial role of discussions on gender and …
1:56:32
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62 sec
How can we support librarians against fear tactics?
Council Member Carlina Rivera asks Lauren Camito, Executive Director of Urban Librarians Unite, about ways to support librarians facing threats of violence and protests. Camito emphasizes the importance of council …
1:57:35
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70 sec
An attendee's Testimony on the Importance of Libraries and Advocates for Funding Reallocation
A member of the public reflects on libraries' significance during their upbringing in New York City, acknowledging librarians' dedication to privacy and education. Having worked with librarians, the speaker praises …
1:59:49
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162 sec
Closing remarks: Council Member Carlina Rivera on the importance of fighting censorship and ensuring cultural inclusivity
Council Member Carlina Rivera addresses the council on the critical issues of censorship and cultural inclusivity. She highlights the concerning rise in censorship attempts targeting books and libraries across the …
2:03:29
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54 sec