TESTIMONY
Claire Mooney, Outreach Librarian at the Brooklyn Public Library, on Supporting Newcomers and Asylum Seekers
4:18:42
·
78 sec
Mooney testifies about the efforts of libraries in New York City to assist newcomers, especially French West African migrants and asylum seekers. The Brooklyn Public Library staff has translated documents, established emergency committees, engaged volunteer networks, and learned asylum law to better support patrons. Mooney highlights the readiness and eagerness of asylum seekers awaiting work permit eligibility to join the workforce and build communities in NYC. She advocates for increased library funding to meet the needs and ambitions of the newest New York City residents.
- Library staff have translated documents, formed committees, and engaged volunteers to assist newcomers
- Asylum seekers are eager to work and build communities while awaiting work permit eligibility
- Mooney calls for increased library funding to support the talent and ambition of new NYC residents
Claire Mooney
4:18:42
Good afternoon, counselors.
4:18:43
My name is Claire Mooney, and I'm an outreach librarian at the Brooklyn Public Library.
4:18:48
Today, I would like to testify on behalf of our newest New Yorkers.
4:18:52
As you are aware, in the past several months, New Yorkers have to played incredible compassion and creativity in welcoming French West African migrants to the city.
4:19:02
At the library, I've witnessed my colleagues translate countless numbers of documents, create emergency committees, and discover and engage new volunteer networks.
4:19:12
Most of our volunteers can only work on Saturdays.
4:19:16
I've even witnessed my colleagues teach themselves asylum law to support our patrons better We do this out of immense respect for our new patrons.
4:19:26
An asylum seeker has a 150 days after their application is submitted before they are eligible to apply for a work permit.
4:19:34
In that time, most people would get incredibly anxious.
4:19:38
Instead, our patrons get ready.
4:19:41
They are keen and eager to get to work and to get connected.
4:19:45
They are building the essential ethnic enclaves that make New York what it is.
4:19:50
If library funding is restored and invested in, we could build a library system that meets the talent and ambition of our new patrons.
