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QUESTION

Do you have disaggregated data in terms of your visitors regarding race, ethnicity, LGBTQ, or other demographics?

0:38:53

·

178 sec

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 to their visitors' race, ethnicity, and LGBTQ status. Linda Johnson responds by emphasizing the libraries' focus on privacy, stating they do not retain data other than names and addresses, and they don’t track what people are reading. Anthony Marx adds to the conversation by highlighting the libraries as defenders of privacy, mentioning they are cautious not to have information they would otherwise like to have. Despite lacking disaggregated data, they underline the libraries' role in serving communities, particularly in underprivileged neighborhoods, and their trusted status among the public. The chapter concludes with Dennis Walcott of the Queens Public Library expressing agreement on the privacy stance and emphasizing the connection librarians have with their patrons.

Crystal Hudson
0:38:53
While we know, of course, that everyone benefits from having access to all types of books no matter who they're written by or the specific communities they may you know, more specifically be serving or speaking to.
0:39:08
I am curious just for from a data perspective If you have disaggregated data in terms of your visitors regarding, you know, race and ethnicity, LGBTQ, anything like that that you might collect.
0:39:23
I know the LGBTQ stuff is a little Yeah.
Linda E. Johnson
0:39:25
We actually are pretty careful not to retain data about our patrons other than their names and addresses.
0:39:33
We don't keep track of what people are reading, but I do appreciate the the groundwork that you put into the question, which is we're not just about telling people they should read books that are being banned THAT'S Really NOT THE POINT.
0:39:48
THE POINT IS Really THAT PEOPLE HAVE THE FREEDOM TO READ, WHATEVER THEY WANT TO READ.
Crystal Hudson
0:39:51
ABSOLUTELY.
Anthony W. Marx
0:39:52
LET'S Just ADD IT.
0:39:54
WE MAY BE THE LAST INSTITUTION standing that defends people's privacy.
0:39:58
And that means we are careful to not have information which we would otherwise like to have.
Kamillah Hanks
0:40:04
Yeah.
Anthony W. Marx
0:40:05
The simple fact is, as we are the institutions that the folks most needing of help in the porous neighborhoods of New York rely on more than any, and they often don't have any alternatives.
0:40:21
So those numbers speak for themselves.
0:40:24
We're sorry sort of that we don't have more aggregated data, though we keep track of, you know, sort of totals so that we can make sure that we're targeting those that needed more.
Linda E. Johnson
0:40:35
I just want to add one thing.
0:40:36
We are in addition to being the most democratic institution in our society, probably the best trusted one as well.
0:40:42
And and that is because people understand that we do respect their privacy it's why people who are coming into this country make their first stop the library to get, you know, whatever kind of information they need, whether it's something as sophisticated as an IDNYC card or just learning about where certain reason sources are in
Nana Adwoa Agyemang
0:41:03
the city.
Dennis Walcott
0:41:04
I was at the opening of central this morning, and either a stop.
0:41:10
And they get on my case.
0:41:12
And the connection of our librarians to our customers is truly amazing.
0:41:20
They know the folks from the community that connect of the need and why they're there or what may have happened in their lives last week.
0:41:32
And that connection of our community with the library is just tremendous.
0:41:38
So I totally agree with Tony and Linda as far as the data and disaggregating it.
0:41:43
It's the connection to the lives of the individuals, and that's who our folks represent as far as having that ability to to understand that need.
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