Council Member Justin Brannan opens Committee on Finance hearing on the Fiscal Year 2025 executive budget for the city's library systems and Department of Cultural Affairs

Council Member Carlina Rivera opens Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries, and International Intergroup Relations hearing on New York City library systems

0:05:32

5 min

Linda Johnson, President and CEO of Brooklyn Public Library, on Severe Proposed Budget Cuts to Library Funding and Services

0:12:00

10 min

Tony Marx, President of the New York Public Library, on Devastating Impacts of Proposed Funding Cuts for Libraries

0:22:32

9 min

Dennis Walcott, President and CEO of the Queens Public Library, on the Essential Role of Public Libraries and Urgent Need for Restoring Funding

0:31:57

8 min

Why was funding for the library systems not included in the administration's budget plan?

0:40:50

54 sec

What would the $58.3 million budget restoration mean for New York City's public libraries?

0:41:46

73 sec

What is the total number of active employees, including full-time and part-time staff, at each of the library systems?

0:43:01

84 sec

What are the current staff vacancy numbers at the New York, Brooklyn, and Queens public libraries?

0:44:29

19 sec

What capital projects have been paused or delayed due to funding cuts, and in what phases were these projects?

0:44:49

160 sec

What challenges are public libraries facing due to budget cuts and staff shortages?

0:47:30

138 sec

What specific funding amount would make New York City's libraries whole after their budget cuts?

0:50:01

140 sec

What is the rationale behind cutting Sunday library service and the restrictions on using endowments to cover operating expenses?

0:52:22

63 sec

Is it allowed for public libraries to use their endowments to cover operating costs during budget cuts? If not, what options do they have to manage budget reductions?

0:53:26

5 min

Council Member Carlina Rivera opens her questions by remarking on the importance of libraries and their services

0:59:19

78 sec

What percentage of the public library system's budget comes from city funding?

1:00:37

34 sec

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

1:01:13

165 sec

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?

1:03:58

100 sec

What are the details of the Eastern Parkway and Brownsville library renovation projects, including their budgets, scopes, and projected timelines?

1:05:55

74 sec

What is the current status and details of the planned expansion of the Corona library branch?

1:07:11

57 sec

Council Member Carlina Rivera remarks on budget instability for neighborhood projects

1:08:09

23 sec

What funding is required to reinstate Sunday hours for all library systems?

1:08:33

25 sec

What languages are audiobooks and print books provided in by New York City's public libraries?

1:09:01

146 sec

What programs and accommodations do the library systems offer for toddlers and young children?

1:11:34

116 sec

What virtual programs and services are the New York City public libraries continuing to offer?

1:13:30

4 min

How many businesses are supported through the MWBE Clinic in the Brooklyn Public Library branches, and how will budget cuts affect this programming?

1:18:49

59 sec

What are the potential impacts of the FY 25 budget cuts on program hours and scope at public libraries?

1:19:49

39 sec

What branches were impacted by staff shortages and unplanned closures? How have budget adjustments affected capital projects?

1:20:33

46 sec

What is the status of capital projects funded by the current administration that were rescinded, canceled, or pushed to future fiscal years?

1:21:21

127 sec

What is the timeline for opening the new Far Rockaway library branch?

1:23:28

34 sec

Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers advocated for prominently displaying the Far Rockaway name on the new library

1:24:23

42 sec

What is the status of the Laurelton library and its construction projects?

1:25:05

100 sec

Council Member Shahana Hanif remarks on the impact of potential New York City library service cuts

1:26:50

96 sec

What programs and services will be impacted by budget cuts to the Brooklyn Public Library?

1:28:27

3 min

What are the impacts of reduced library hours and program cuts?

1:31:53

4 min

What are the initiatives to protect intellectual property and provide access to books across the country?

1:36:07

4 min

What is the process for renovating through the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) instead of the Department of Design and Construction (DDC)?

1:40:34

10 sec

Do libraries still have access to the e-rate program and is it possible to utilize it with federal support to extend internet access to neighborhoods?

1:40:44

14 sec

What are the technology budgets and how could they be impacted by the need for new hardware or software every 5 years?

1:40:58

12 sec

What are the wait lists for literacy programs? Are research libraries open on Sundays? What was previously baselined for libraries?

1:41:10

25 sec

What is the reason for the New York Public Library research library being closed on Sundays?

1:41:37

36 sec

What were the E Rate eligible costs for the New York Public Library in fiscal year 2024?

1:42:14

21 sec

What are the challenges with working with agencies like the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) on library renovation projects?

1:42:36

99 sec

What is the wait list for literacy classes?

1:44:19

22 sec

What is the amount of the e-rate funding received by the Queens Public Library?

1:44:43

13 sec

What funding sources do public libraries rely on for capital projects?

1:44:57

20 sec

What is the waitlist for ESOL classes at the Brooklyn Public Library?

1:45:19

32 sec

What is the budget for technology and funding sources at the Brooklyn Public Library?

1:45:52

15 sec

Why is the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) more expensive than the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) for public projects?

1:46:07

74 sec

What role are public libraries playing in supporting immigrants and asylum seekers?

1:47:25

57 sec

How many ESOL sessions were held by the Queens Public Library?

1:48:38

20 sec

Council Member Justin Brannan opens the final executive budget hearing on the Department of Cultural Affairs

2:09:33

172 sec

Council Member Carlina Rivera opens Committee on Cultural Affairs Libraries And International Intergroup Relations hearing on the Department of Cultural Affairs executive budget plan

2:12:31

4 min

Laurie Cumbo, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, on the Mayor's Fiscal Year 25 Executive Budget Proposal for NYC Cultural Programs and Initiatives

2:17:41

14 min

Why were the Program to Eliminate the Gap (PEGs) not fully restored this year and did the Department of Cultural Affairs fight for full restoration of the Scheduling and Grants (Sigs) and Cultural Development Fund (CDFs) budgets with city hall?

2:32:12

3 min

Council Member Justin Brannan remarks on importance of New York City's cultural institutions

2:35:43

95 sec

What is being done to increase funding for arts and cultural institutions in New York City?

2:37:20

161 sec

Why did the Cultural Development Fund (CDF) receive $23.5 million and the CIGs receive $16.5 million from the additional $40 million in DCLA's FY 2024 budget?

2:40:03

120 sec

What was the average increase in funding that Cultural Development Fund (CDF) recipients received from the one-time $40,000,000 allocation?

2:42:03

152 sec

What processes are involved in factoring community perspectives into capital planning and decision making for equity?

2:44:40

169 sec

What are the costs covered by the capital program budget versus the expense budget?

2:47:30

130 sec

What is the adequacy of the proposed headcount increase for meeting the cultural community's needs?

2:49:46

74 sec

Council Member Carlina Rivera remarks on cuts to cultural institutions

2:51:09

3 min

What are the reasons for DCLA's reliance on one-time council funds to cover the Social Inclusion Grants (SIG) operating costs and the exclusion of $45,000,000 urged funding in the executive budget?

2:54:12

3 min

What is the impact of budget cuts on New York City's cultural programs and economy?

2:58:07

105 sec

What are the details regarding the funding calculations and impact on Cultural Development Fund (CDF) groups due to budget cuts?

2:59:52

58 sec

What is being done to ensure equitable distribution of cultural funding across the boroughs?

3:00:51

3 min

How will the safety net funding be funded, and will it address organizations that faced significant budget cuts in fiscal year 2024?

3:04:32

169 sec

Will organizations that were denied funding last year be able to receive funding in the current cycle?

3:07:21

99 sec

What reforms have been made to the panel review process for cultural affairs funding applications? What further improvements are being considered?

3:09:00

3 min

How did the Department of Cultural Affairs evaluate and improve the inclusivity of the Culture Development Fund (CDF) process?

3:12:04

115 sec

What steps is the Department of Cultural Affairs taking to support cultural organizations beyond the traditional funding process?

3:14:03

134 sec

What is the process for organizations to appeal funding decisions and receive feedback on their applications?

3:16:30

3 min

What efforts are being made to promote and monitor arts education in public schools?

3:20:10

117 sec

What additional efforts are being made to provide housing for artists in New York City?

3:22:07

121 sec

What should the DCLA budget be if it kept pace with the overall city budget increases over time?

3:24:15

140 sec

What is the Department of Cultural Affairs doing to support cultural institutions and workforce development in the arts?

3:26:36

153 sec

Council Member Carlina Rivera concludes her questions

3:29:09

43 sec

Council Member Laurie Cumbo concludes her segment

3:29:56

17 sec

Leonard Paul, President of Local 374, on the Devastating Impact of Budget Cuts on New York City's Public Library Systems and Workers

3:45:14

119 sec

Deborah D. Allman, President of the New York Public Library Guild Local 1930, on the Impact of Budget Cuts on Library Services and Staffing

3:47:28

159 sec

George Olken, President of Local 1482 Brooklyn Library Guild, on the Impacts of Budget Cuts on Brooklyn Public Library Workers and Operations

3:50:10

129 sec

John Hyslop, President of the Queens Library Guild Local 1321, on Staffing Shortages Impacting Library Services and Facilities at Queens Library

3:52:22

133 sec

Council Members Brannan and Rivera thank the panelists

3:54:36

47 sec

Panelists congratulate Council Member Carlina Rivera on her baby

3:55:23

30 sec

Lucy Sexton, Executive Director of New Yorkers for Culture and Arts, on the Crisis in New York City's Cultural Sector Due to Budget Cuts

3:56:50

132 sec

Coco Killingsworth, Vice President of Creative Social Impact at BAM, on Restoring Funding for Cultural Institutions Group (CIGs) and the Cultural Development Fund (CDF)

3:59:06

150 sec

Fran Garber-Cohen, President of Regina Opera Company, on the Impact of Budget Cuts on Regina Opera's Services for Senior Citizens and Low-Income Communities in Brooklyn

4:01:47

126 sec

Lisa Gold, Executive Director of the Asian American Arts Alliance, on the Inequitable Impact of Funding Cuts on Small and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Organizations

4:03:56

134 sec

Judith Insell, Executive Director of the Bronx Arts Ensemble, on the Need for Increased Funding for Community Arts and Cultural Programming in the Bronx

4:06:18

3 min

Risa Shoup, Co-Executive Director of the Alliance of Resident Theatres New York, on the Importance of Funding for Arts and Culture Organizations in New York City

4:09:35

178 sec

Dohini Sompura, Director of Governmental Affairs at the American Museum of Natural History, on Increasing Operational Funding for Cultural Institutions in New York City

4:12:38

103 sec

Rosa Chang, Co-Founder and President of Gotham Park, on the Importance of Public Libraries as Gateways to Imagination and Dreams

4:15:25

3 min

Claire Mooney, Outreach Librarian at the Brooklyn Public Library, on Supporting Newcomers and Asylum Seekers

4:18:42

78 sec

Matthew Zadrozny, President of SaveNYPL.org on Restoring Extensive New York City Public Library Service Hours, Including Sundays

4:20:10

3 min

Lauren Comito, Librarian and Executive Director of Urban Librarians Unite, on the Impacts of Budget Cuts on Library Staff and Services

4:23:50

168 sec

David S. Pecoraro, President of the Friends of Rosedale Library, on Budget Cuts Impacting Public Library Services and Programming in Queens

4:26:43

161 sec

Sheila Lewandowski, Executive Director of Chocolate Factory Theater, on Increased Funding for Arts and Culture in New York City to Support the City's Recovery

4:30:15

3 min

Candace Thompson-Zachery, Co-Executive Director of Dance/NYC, on the Vital Role of Dance Workers and the Need for Investment in NYC's Dance Community

4:33:29

148 sec

Melody Capote, Executive Director of the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute, on Inequities in City Funding for Arts and Cultural Organizations Serving Communities of Color

4:36:02

4 min

Kate Madigan, Government Affairs Coordinator for the Public Theater, on the Financial Challenges Facing Cultural Institutions and the Need for Increased City Support

4:40:17

126 sec

Kimberly Olsen, Executive Director of the New York City Arts And Education Roundtable on the Importance of Arts Education and Funding for Cultural Organizations Partnering with NYC Schools

4:42:27

172 sec

David Freudenthal, Director of Government Relations at Carnegie Hall, on Funding for Carnegie Hall and the Cultural Institutions Group (CIG)

4:45:24

121 sec

Lisa Alpert, Senior Vice President of Development and Programming at Green-Wood Cemetery, on the Cultural Programs and Services Offered by the Cemetery

4:47:31

127 sec

What is the status of data compilation and transparency for arts education in New York City schools?

4:49:41

92 sec

Council Member Carlina Rivera thanks the panelists

4:51:19

25 sec

Michelle Lima, New York City Culture Curator and Influencer, on the Importance of Arts, Culture, and Public Services for New Yorkers

4:52:51

4 min

Elise Buxbaum on educational and cultural impacts of Jewish Heritage Museum

4:57:24

98 sec

Nicole Gardner, Director of Advancement for Building for the Arts NY, on supporting NYC's cultural ecosystem through theater renovations and expanding music education

4:59:12

138 sec

Ryan Gilliam, Executive Director of FABnyc and Community Board Member, on Supporting Arts, Culture, and Communities in the Lower East Side

5:01:38

145 sec

Tamia Blackman Santana, Chief Officer of Engagements and Inclusion at Ballet Hispanico, on the Vital Role of Arts and Culture in New York City

5:04:09

3 min

Skye Kowaleski, Executive Director of JACK Arts, on the Struggles and Hope for the Organization Amidst Budget Cuts

5:07:24

130 sec

Jirina Ribbens, Executive Director of Ice Theatre of New York (ITNY), on the cultural and educational impact of ice dance performances and outreach programs

5:10:38

117 sec

Andrea Gordillo, Development Director of The Clemente Soto Velez Cultural & Educational Center, on the Crucial Role of Cultural Funding for Community Arts Programs and Organizations

5:12:39

179 sec

Gina Tribotti, Development Manager at the International Studio And Curatorial Program, on the Transformative Impact of ISCP's Diverse Artist Residencies and Programs

5:15:39

129 sec

Beth Allen, Executive Director of the Downtown Brooklyn Arts Alliance, on the Economic and Cultural Impact of the Arts in Downtown Brooklyn

5:17:58

171 sec

Colby Herschel, Artistic Director and Co-founder of Scantic River Productions, on the organization's contributions to diverse theater and arts programming in NYC

5:20:53

119 sec

Dian Dong, Associate Director of Chen Dance Center, on the Role of Dance in Education and Community Engagement

5:23:00

111 sec

David Johnston, Development Director at the Jazz Gallery, on the Essential Role of the Jazz Gallery in Preserving and Promoting Jazz Music in New York City

5:24:58

129 sec

Christopher Leon Johnson, Member of the Public, on Allegations Against Vicki Paladino's Chief of Staff Being Married to a Racist Proud Boy

5:27:32

128 sec