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QUESTION

What strategies are libraries employing to mitigate service disruptions from branch closures or reduced operations due to budget cuts?

1:01:13

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Libraries are using various strategies to mitigate disruptions to service:

Libraries are deploying mobile book, tech, and kid mobiles to impacted areas
Temporary spaces are being utilized during renovations, like in Redhook
Hwever, Mobile units and temporary spaces do not fully replace operational branches
Unplanned closures and disruptions will increase without funding for repairs
No branches have been permanently closed yet due to cuts, only delays in reopenings

Carlina Rivera

1:01:13

What steps do you take to minimize the impact of any closed branches in neighborhoods, or I would say the reduction of services that you've seen.

1:01:23

So you've had a reduction of services Have you had to close any branches because of the cuts?

Linda Johnson

1:01:32

Thus far, we've actually refrain from opening branches that were scheduled to come back online in order not to disrupt the pattern of usage from people who have become accustomed to using the branches that are open.

1:01:46

If we do have to take the next step, We try and deploy our book mobiles and our tech mobiles and our kid mobiles.

1:01:57

But it's not sufficient.

1:01:59

In cases where we have long planned renovations, we also look for temporary space in the neighborhood An example that's happening right now is in Redhook where we're doing a full renovation and we're in the process of opening a temporary space nearby for that community.

Dennis Walcott

1:02:17

So yesterday when I went to the Broadway branch, which unfortunately won't open right now based on the cut Sure.

1:02:25

Our mobile library was there.

1:02:27

And on Thursday, if I'm not mistaken, it's at Bay Terrace library.

1:02:33

So some mobile libraries there as well.

1:02:35

So we have our mobile libraries that are deployed to the various branches.

1:02:40

On Saturday, they're at Laurelton, which is under construction right now.

1:02:44

So that's how we've had to really adjust to the branches that aren't open, but we have not closed a branch.

1:02:53

Based on the cut.

1:02:54

It's just not reopening branches that are ready to open based on the cuts.

1:02:58

The

Tony Marx

1:03:00

same here at New York Public Library from November to March 24.

1:03:04

As I mentioned, the library had 69 unplanned closures of affecting 34 branches for an average of 2 hours lost per closure.

1:03:14

And that will just continue to speed up as we don't have the capital investments or the expense that we can spend on repairs, those repairs will lead to more closures that we and we simply won't have the staff to to meet those needs.

Carlina Rivera

1:03:32

Oh, with you know, we've said it over and over again without a restoration of tens of 1,000,000 of dollars that you all need, that things will only worsen.

1:03:41

I know my council colleagues are funding all types of projects.

1:03:45

I know they're HVACs or Mhmm.

1:03:48

Teen centers, right, a wide spectrum of services that are it through these physical facilities, and we have to overhaul the older facilities as well.

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What is the status of the Tompkins Square and West New Brighton library renovation projects? What are the projected completion dates and has the Department of Design and Construction remained on schedule?

What strategies are libraries employing to mitigate service disruptions from branch closures or reduced operations due to budget cuts?

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