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