citymeetings.nyc

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QUESTION

Do you believe our library's activities can make any real difference in an nationwide fight against book banning?

1:40:46

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165 sec

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 New York Public Library Guild, about the critical role of libraries in the nationwide fight against book banning. They emphasize libraries as models for resistance, highlighting the importance of fully funded libraries and respected worker rights. Debra Altman shares her personal experiences as a librarian in the Bronx, illustrating the profound impact libraries have on communities, especially underserved areas. The discussion further explores the significance of diverse collections and multilingual resources, with contributions from Council Member Chi Ossé, showcasing New York's library systems as exemplary models for diversity and inclusion in libraries worldwide. The chapter concludes with acknowledgments of the value of library workers and the importance of making them feel appreciated.

Carlina Rivera

1:40:46

I I I heard this in in your testimony, but I just wanted to ask if do you believe that the library's activities can make any real difference in an nationwide fight against book banning.

George Sarah Olken

1:41:02

Definitely.

1:41:03

I mean, we're a model.

1:41:04

What we do here, the folks follow, as we've already heard, people are taking up some of the programs that we've done.

1:41:10

And I think that the same goes for wages and the rights of workers.

1:41:16

These are this is what we fight for as union.

1:41:19

Members.

1:41:20

And so we believe that a fully funded library that respects all of its workers sets a model that throughout the country.

1:41:28

We library workers should be treated with that respect.

Debra Altman

1:41:32

Hi.

1:41:32

I'm Debra Altman, president of local 9 1330 New York Public Library Guild.

1:41:38

And as a children's librarian for over 20 years in the Bronx, I've seen what the service had done to the community.

1:41:52

I still even though I go in the neighborhood, I still see people that reach out to me, and they still remember me, and they remember what the library has done for them.

1:42:04

And to cut these these vital service, the the Bronx is one of the most underserved areas, and we need these programs in the libraries and underserved areas and they look forward to these programs and to see twenty year olds that still remember what the library has done for them and reach out and have jobs.

1:42:31

We need these service and we need these restoration is because my slogan is a cut to the library's budget is a cut to you.

Chi Ossé

1:42:44

And and to piggyback on everything that everybody has said prior to me, We are a model, the 3 systems are a model for our diversity of collections, the amount of material we buy, and catalog and make available in in foreign languages, and language other than English is impressive.

1:43:04

And the contributions that we make to catalogs around the world on what we catalog and buy is impressive.

1:43:11

So, yeah, we are a model for the diversity.

1:43:14

And I think libraries look to us for what we do, definitely.

Carlina Rivera

1:43:23

And and I agree.

1:43:24

I'm I'm very thankful to you all and also respecting the the workers and ensuring that you feel valued.

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George Sarah Olkin, President, Local 1482 Brooklyn Library Guild Testifies on Book Banning and Democracy

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