QUESTION
How do libraries engage with local schools, community organizations, and citywide initiatives?
0:57:19
·
115 sec
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 Walcott, President of Queen's Public Library, highlights partnerships with District 29, including meetings with parent coordinators and participation in the mayor's new reading initiative. Anthony W. Marx, President of the New York Public Library, emphasizes the importance of collaboration with various city agencies, nonprofits, and education departments, mentioning the My Library's NYC program as an example of essential cooperation with public schools.
Kamillah Hanks
0:57:19
And I can tell from your responses how passionate you all are I guess similar to that vein, what broader activities have you engaged in?
0:57:28
This is specific to Queen's, but anyone can feel free to answer that include local schools, community organizations, and actually raising awareness.
0:57:36
I think a part of this hearing is talking about the lack of awareness especially in New York City because we're a little bit more privileged in that way than other states and promoting this sort of intellectual freedom that you all have been talking about.
0:57:49
And how do you all engage with the city initiative and nationwide initiative?
Dennis Walcott
0:57:54
So just taking a quick stab in your district, we've had a partnership with district 29, and we've hosted a number of meetings with the parent coordinators, the pretend in the district 29, talking about a variety of reading initiatives and supporting the district and getting their feedback as well.
0:58:13
We've hosted the part the parent coordinators at the Cambria Heights library, a matter of fact, and we continue to do that.
0:58:20
And I know we were part the announcement with the mayor and the chancellor around the new reading initiative and looking forward to investing in that even more so.
0:58:31
And then Tony always and Linda Love to talk about is our programs with the Department of Education as well.
Anthony W. Marx
0:58:40
We are proud and depend upon the partnership of the city council, of you, of so many agencies in the city, of so many nonprofits.
0:58:49
We are proud to take the lead where we can, but we know we have to work with our colleagues.
0:58:55
The My Library's NYC program, for instance, where we are affect the circulating library for close to half of the public libraries in New York is essential.
0:59:04
We've been public schools.
0:59:05
Sorry.
0:59:06
And why we have you know, we've been working closely with the chancellor to protect that program even under difficult circumstances.
Kamillah Hanks
0:59:13
Okay.