Can everybody settle down and find the seat?

Everybody settle down and find the seat.

We are getting ready to begin.

Good morning, and welcome to the New York City Council Executive Budget Hearing finance jointly with cultural affairs, libraries, and international intergroup relations.

At this time, can everybody please silence your cell phones?

If you wish to testify, please go up to the sign that arms us to fill out a testimony slip.

For instance, the money can be emailed to testimonial council dotnyc.gov.

Again, that is testimony at counsel.nyc.gov at this time and going forward.

No one is to approach today's.

I repeat no one is to approach the days.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Cheers.

We are ready to begin.

Thank you, sergeant.

Okay.

Good morning, and welcome to day 11 of the FY 25 executive budget hearings.

I'm member, Justin Brandon, I chair the Committee on Finance.

Today's hearings will begin with the city's library systems followed by the Department of Cultural Affairs.

I'm pleased to be joined by my colleague, council member Carlina Rivera, who chairs the committee on cultural affairs, libraries, and International Intergroup.

Relations.

We've been joined this morning by council members Carr Lewis and Moia on Zoom.

I wanna welcome Linda Johnson, president CEO of Brooklyn Public library, Tony Marks, president and CEO of New York Public Library, and Dennis Walcott, President and CEO of the Queen's Public Library.

Thank you all for joining us today to answer our questions.

Just to set the table here on April 24, 2024, The administration released the executive financial plan for FY 24 to 28 with a proposed FY 25 budget of $111,600,000,000.

The library's proposed FY 25 budget of $425,000,000 across all three systems represents less than 1% of the administration's proposed FY 25 budget.

This is an increase of 4,000,000 or 1% from the $421,000,000 originally budgeted in the preliminary plan.

This increase mostly results from added funds for the collective bargaining agreement.

As of March 2024, the libraries collectively had 613 vacancies relative to their FY 24 budgeted headcount.

In the council's preliminary budget response, we called on the mayor to add $58,300,000 to reverse a series of funding cuts made to the libraries.

To 22,100,000 to undo the baseline cut, 20,500,000 to reinstate the one shot funding from FY 24 and a 100 and 15,700,000 to cover the funds from the city council's discretionary funding.

Picked up at adoption last June.

Council's proposal would allow library citywide to expand their current hours, increase programming, and reinstate Sunday library service.

Stop me if you've heard this one before, but the mayor's executive budget included not $1 towards the council's call for funding our libraries.

Despite the mayor's recent restorations in the executive budget, they represent a fraction of the cuts The administration is made to key programs like here, which the council has found were never necessary in the first place.

The council's economic analysis found $6,150,000,000 in resources left on the table by the mayor's preliminary budget.

In our budget response, we laid out how some of this can contribute to our reserves, be set aside to hedge against under budgeted cost, and other economic hazards and still leave $1,630,000,000 for restoration and investments into valuable service and programs like the ones we'll talk about today, with another 1,000,000,000 left in surplus to address other fiscal issues for good measure.

As budget negotiations go forward, it's critical that we all work off the same set of facts.

Council's economists have been consistently accurate year over year While this administration's back and forth approach of cutting and restoring introduces instability into our city's most vital services and programs, that our communities simply cannot afford.

My questions today will largely go further on the council's preliminary budget response along with examining the library's capital gap.

Thank you so much.

Good morning, everyone.

Thank you for being here.

I wanna thank Chair Brandon for highlighting what it is the city is going through in terms of the stakes and how important our library system is to the functioning of the city and its availability, its importance of its availability to so many families across the boroughs.

Welcome to the hearing for the committee on cultural affairs, libraries, and international intergroup relations.

I am council member, Carlene Rivera, chair of this committee.

Today, we will begin with a hearing on the city's 3 library systems following a hearing on cultural affairs.

This morning, we'll be discussing the executive expense and capital budget for the systems.

For fiscal 2025, the administration is proposing a 425 $1,000,000 subsidy for the library systems.

The fiscal 2025 executive capital commitment plan which covers fiscal 2024 to 20 28, includes 920,200,000 for the library systems.

In the council's fiscal 2025 preliminary budget response, we called on the administration to allocate an additional 58,300,000 to the city's 3 library systems.

This funding would have restored the baseline cut of 22,100,000 to library's budgets reinstated the one shot funding of $20,500,000 from fiscal 2024 and covered the 15.7 $1,000,000 subsidy provided through city council discretionary funding at budget adoption last June.

These commitments would have made the fiscal 20 25 budget for libraries commensurate with the adopted fiscal 2024 funding level.

I think it is safe to say we are all disappointed to see that the executive plan did not include a restoration of the cuts.

The council and the administration for that matter continues to champion libraries, but it is his council.

That has made it very clear that libraries are a funding priority and urges the administration to reverse these reductions immediately.

I grew up visiting the libraries, enjoying the different programs offered, and reading the wide variety of books I would like for my children and all young New Yorkers to have the same opportunities that I had.

I've also been there as an adult, of course, and been recommended amazing books like Pachinko and demon Copperhead and so many others.

It's such an inclusive place.

Libraries have an essential presence in every neighborhood of New York providing indispensable services in a safe and reliable space to all residents, be it our young people, seniors, immigrants, asylum seekers, or even incarcerated individuals.

Along with the increase in programming and circulation, the systems have also seen a rise in the cost of materials, staffing and general operating.

It is essential that our city's libraries are provided the funding essential to continue the provision of the high level of service New Yorkers expect and deserve.

Funds are also required to maintain the library's physical space for repairs and upkeep that are not capital eligible.

Without appropriate safe and reliable facilities, the amount of operational funding available for libraries would be relevant.

The systems were also subjected to $830,000,000 capital budget reduction.

This reduction has resulted in the delaying of capital projects pushing them into the out years of the plan, as well as the elimination of funding for several projects some of which had already commenced their early phases of design.

Libraries need capital dollars to restore aging infrastructure, construct new build and to expand existing facilities.

Public libraries help many New Yorkers to rebuild their lives and reconnect to their communities.

Particularly in the post pandemic world.

I want to ensure that the fiscal 2025 adopted budget adequately funds the city's library systems Libraries are a beacon for our city, and they deserve a budget that enables them to provide the necessary services for the communities.

And, of course, to support the amazing staff inside of those facilities.

Thank you all for your service.

It is essential that the budget we adopt this year is transparent accountable and reflective of the priorities and interests of the council and the people that we represent.

I look forward to an active engagement with the administration over the next few weeks, I guess, at this point to ensure the fiscal 2025 adopted budget meets the goals the council has set out.

I wanna recognize the members of the committee that are present.

I see council member Lewis.

And also, I wanna thank my staff for organizing not just today's hearing, but also the past few weeks holding it down, chief of staff and budget director Katie Lowe, Vice President of Director Eddie Amador Financial Analyst, Sandra Gray.

Committee's counsel, Christina Yalamati, and legislative policy analyst, Regina Paul, I also have to thank my husband for being at home today with my newborn baby.

With that, turn it back to the chair.

Good morning.

You affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth before this committee ends respond, honestly, to counsel member questions, Tony Marks?

Linda Johnson.

I do.

Dennis Walcott.

Thank you.

You may begin.

There we go.

Good morning.

Day 11.

Thank you all so much for hanging in there with us and for your support.

I'm Linda Johnson, President and CEO of Brooklyn Public Library.

Thank you, Speaker Adams, Finance Chair Brennan, Chair Rivera, members of the committees, our Brooklyn delegation, and the entire city council for the opportunity to testify.

We are grateful for your leadership and unwavering support of libraries and our mission.

New York City's libraries are facing the most significant cuts we have seen in years.

It pains me to repeat these numbers to you, but together, our systems stand to lose $58,300,000 in fiscal year 2025.

And for the first time in 16 years, the library's capital plans have been slashed by a staggering $125,000,000.

Tragically, these cuts come at a time when library usage is high and the costs of running the systems are higher.

For Brooklyn, this amounts to a drastic $16,200,000 cut, equivalent to 13% of our operating budget.

This will force us to severely limit library service, a devastating and avoidable consequence.

We must protect library service for the millions of patrons who rely on us.

Libraries have not faced cuts of this severity since the years following the 2008 financial crisis.

If the executive budget passes as proposed, the city will be turning back a decade of diligent progress.

In 6 weeks, Brooklyn Public Library will be forced to drop down to a 5 day a week service in more than half of our locations.

We will further reduce our operating hours We will drastically diminish the collections and programming, and we will severe severely curtail hiring and cut part time staff hours in half.

It is unjustifiable to put libraries in this position.

As we continue to rebound from the pandemic, demand for service is soaring.

Visits, program sessions, program attendance, and new card applications are all up by more than 40%.

Instead of rising to meet this increased demand, we are forced to reduce programming If these cuts are enacted, teen programming will diminish by a third.

We will offer half as many young adult literacy classes.

Citizenship classes will be cut by more than half.

50% fewer visits to senior centers and nursing homes.

30% fewer visits to children and families in hospitals and rehabilitation facilities.

14% fewer creative aging classes for older adults.

It is heartbreaking to think of the people who will be deprived of our services.

Just last week, a patron wrote to tell us the Sunset Park library was a refuge for him while living at a local shelter.

He said, I found housing and work by coming to this library every day.

That it has been open because there's no WiFi at the shelter.

It's also a place for peace, quiet, free books, and activities.

Our staff formed genuine connections with patrons helping answer questions from early childhood literacy to career development and everything in between.

But our library workers are struggling to provide excellent service to their communities as they contend with staff shortages in the branches.

A cut of this magnitude will only increase the burdens on our staff, requiring us to severely curtail hiring operate with half of our part time staff and permanently eliminate 146 public facing vacant positions, coveted city jobs.

Our patrons are experiencing the impact of a smaller collection after the $6,500,000 that we absorbed in November.

There are 40,000 fewer books on the shelves.

10% of these titles are in languages other than English, We have had to suspend purchasing more expensive materials such as test prep and passport study guides, large print books and reference resources.

15% of our database subscriptions have been canceled and we have had to restrict the number of books patrons can check out and place on hold.

Fewer books mean longer wait times.

The average weight for ebooks and audiobooks has increased by 30% since the November cut.

Instead of encouraging young readers to explore their passions, we are holding them back.

It's harder for patrons to check out novels in their native language, harder to take home a GED prep book, and harder to find your child's favorite story on the shelves.

To make matters worse, if these cuts are not reversed, libraries will lose 25% of our state funding.

The maintenance of effort clause in the state's library aid statute requires local aid to remain at or above 90% of the prior 2 year average.

If this MOE is triggered in this year's city budget, Brooklyn Public Library stands to lose an additional $2,000,000 in state funding next year.

These cuts are being proposed while the library is confronting more than $5,000,000 in increased costs.

In fiscal year 25, we must cover the cost of union salary and minimum wage increases.

The library share of staff healthcare premiums, as well as the operating costs of 2 new locations.

The Center for Brooklyn history and the library for arts and culture.

And this does not include the increased cost of doing business.

We are running a library system today on a pre pandemic funding level that has not kept pace with inflation.

Restoration alone will not solve our operating budget needs.

While preventing the further loss of library service is my highest priority, addressing the library's capital crisis keeps me up at night.

Not that little baby, but Brooklyn Public Library's unfunded capital needs have grown to over $380,000,000.

Including emergency infrastructure such as roofs, heating, and cooling systems, and accessibility upgrades.

This year, the city cut $47,000,000 from our capital plan, forcing us to eliminate 4 long awaited renovations.

Remove funding for several construction projects, and cancel critical infrastructure upgrades.

In 2023, BPO branches lost more than 22100 hours to unplanned closures stemming from outdated building systems and failing infrastructure.

Just last month, Macon and Decau libraries closed unexpectedly when their heating systems failed during a cold spell.

In fact, every year, we end up spending nearly a $1,000,000 in fence funding, addressing emergencies that cannot wait for a full capital project.

Without a restoration of the 47,000,000 in capital funding and dedicated funding in the city's capital plan, these unplanned closures will undoubtedly increase.

We depend on city support for the maintenance of our physical plant, and of course, without the backing of our council members who have generously funded local projects in their districts and supported us with delegation level funding, we would not have come this far in in revitalizing our local libraries, but our progress is at risk.

We are not dismissing the city's financial difficulties, but the life changing opportunities libraries provide to all New Yorkers even our newest neighbors are an essential part of the city's safety net.

We offer so much more than books and reference materials we provide support and security.

And if libraries are not adequately funded, the city's safety net starts to fray.

We must protect our city and our neighbors by by protecting our libraries.

I'm not alone in making this urgent plea I'm proud to work alongside you at the council, my colleagues at GC37, and all of our staff as well as a strong coalition of library supporters, many of whom are in this room today.

Over 22 1000 letters from Brooklynites have already made their way to elected officials imploring the city to protect library funding.

Today, I will also be submitting over 400 statements from New Yorkers who asked that their words of port for libraries be on the record.

These are not one sentence emails that have been sent to us these are paragraphs and paragraphs of people explaining how important their libraries are to them and why library funding should be restored.

Chair Brennan, Cherovera, members of the committee.

The future of our libraries depend on your continued leadership and support.

We are confident that working together, all of our city leaders will rise to this occasion.

Thank you very much.

Thank you, Linda.

My name is Tony Marks, the president of the New York Public Library.

I want to thank City Council, speaker Adams, chairs, Rivera, and Brandon, the members of the committee, all of your colleagues for the opportunity to testify today.

Unfortunately, the New York City's libraries are in the same position we were in 2 months ago when we were last year.

We are facing a staggering FY 25 proposed cut of $58,300,000 and expense reductions, roughly $25,500,000 of cuts just for the New York Public Library alone.

We have now an even clearer understanding of the devastating and unprecedented impact that these cuts are already having on our system and our city.

While the midyear, PAG ended Sunday service at 7 locations, no more Sunday libraries in New York City.

This budget cut will bring us down to 5 day service at the majority of our locations.

This is unthinkable.

We're not in the 19 seventies here.

Collection reductions are already hitting home.

We've seeing 72,000 fewer items already on our shelves.

The number is projected to go up to 185,000.

Hiring and recruitment levels stemming from the November cut have already produced staff shortfalls and unplanned closings, 69 unplanned closings, just from November to March.

The trend will only worsen with fewer staff, fewer resources to pay for those staff, to commit to those staff, will have to potentially delay the reopening of a number of branches.

The city, together with our private sources, invested roughly $160,000,000 in 5 of our incredible carnegies that were in terrible disrepair.

In some of the neediest neighborhoods of this city.

We were proud to partner with the city and with the city council to make that historic investment.

To say to the people in those neighborhoods, you deserve a majestic inspiring and spectful library full of programs and amazing librarians and staff.

And we're ready.

We're almost ready.

They are almost ready.

It is tragic and unthinkable that we have to even consider not opening.

Those branches, not giving the New Yorkers the payback from their investment.

But those are the kinds of decisions we're now facing.

We'll have to reduce our budget for our pages are beloved beloved pages who are an essential workforce development pipeline into our system and elsewhere in the city.

As you know, we provide essential lifelines for underserved communities But we're looking at around 850 fewer hours per week, a 20% reduction in our system wide planned hours.

Unthinkable.

Think about our 50 afterschool locations, our 20 teen centers, our 24 ESL locations, our 11 tax preparation locations are 40 college and career hubs.

None of that can happen.

If our doors aren't open, let alone, as Linda mentioned, the emergency maintenance requirements or the cooling centers that New Yorkers are gonna depend upon us, that the administration is gonna depend on us for this summer.

On the research side, we've already seen increased waiting times for key research library services, fewer service points staffed, reduced capacity to process preserve and conserve collections.

We are the most used public research library on the planet.

We represent New York.

This is not how you want New York represented when we cannot meet those needs for creators and artists and writers and scholars to come up with the solutions we need.

We need to feed that, not cut it off.

The city's the the city's recent preliminary mayor's management reports shows that by circulation, pro program attendance, library card registration, everything is rising.

Circulation up 50% since FY 21.

And that's not just because of the pandemic, because in the pandemic, we had eBook to replace the circulating books.

We were ready.

We've always been ready for what New Yorkers need.

So why cut us now?

Let alone the threat, as Linda mentioned, of the state's in vocation of its maintenance of effort that would reduce are funding even further.

Capital, as Linda mentioned, is just as alarming.

We saw a removal in this budget of $45,500,000 from our 10 year capital plan.

Our system is aging.

Some of them over a 100 years.

They are in disrepair and face critical issues even though we have proudly invested a $1,000,000,000 including 100 of millions of our private resources into capital improvements, there's still so much more that needs to be done.

We've got an amazing team that's proven its ability to do it, but we can't do it without the funding and without the security of that funding.

We will lose the progress we have made.

We know when we invest in our branches what difference it makes Washington Heights library, neighborhood I grew up in.

We did a total amazing renovation to that beautiful building, but was in sad shape.

And we saw 47% increase in visits, a 45% increase in circulation, and a 105% increase in program attendance, the same in Charleston, the same throughout our system.

We currently face at the New York Public Library a $500,000,000 plus capital needs.

That are not men.

But here we are.

Battling for simple restoration when our costs have gone up, when our services have gone up.

We are sitting here today.

With cuts that threaten us with service reductions that we have to threaten in in response.

We are throwing threats back and forth.

How is that helpful?

How is that useful?

It distracts us from doing the work we need to do that New Yorkers need us to do.

We know the mayor looks to us to do takes pride in us doing.

How can we build any consistency, and dependability, or growth?

How can we plan?

How can we deliver with this constant state?

Of budget instability.

This is no way to run a railroad or a city.

Or the greatest library systems in the country.

The budget dance distracts us.

We spend months on edge running too many different budget scenarios.

We can't hire.

We can't be ready to deliver.

So here we are.

Facing those cuts and facing, in our case, roughly $9,000,000 of additional costs just to do what we've already been doing.

Let's end this dance.

We love being with you all.

We love these have opportunities to share with each other, but let's not do it in this way.

The dance helps no one.

We need to restore our funding.

We need it baseline, so we're not right back where we started from months later, and we should be talking about an increase in funding given our costs and given what we are delivering.

Thank you so much for this opportunity.

Good morning.

I'm Dennis Walcott, the President and CEO of the Queen's Public Library.

Cheers Brandon and Rivera, and the members of the committee I wanna say a big thank you for the opportunity to be here today.

Before I begin, also I wanna say a special thanks to speaker Adams.

For her leadership as well.

She has been truly fantastic, and we appreciate all the support and the members of the city council for being the greatest advocates.

For our public libraries.

You understand the promise of our trusted spaces and the life changing impact we have on New Yorkers of all ages, backgrounds, and circumstances.

You know, I wanna deviate for one quick second, just pick up on something that Chair Rivera said.

We're such an inclusive place.

I mean, that's who we are as libraries.

We're just about inclusiveness and who we have come through our doors for free represent all of New York City.

Throughout this process, you have been at the forefront supporting us, and we are deeply appreciative.

You have our written testimony, so I will forego reading it and just highlight a few points and also being very sympathetic that this is your limit.

Hearing as well.

Public libraries are a safe haven for anyone who needs it, but unfortunately, most New Yorkers no longer have access to libraries on Sunday.

It is a travesty that New York City, the greatest city.

And I say it over and over again because I truly believe it.

In the world has no library that is open 7 days a week.

We estimate that from when we ended Sunday service in Queens.

And from November through June, we will have lost more than a 120,000 visits.

To QPL just on Sundays alone.

And that's not all.

The 3 systems also had to slash budgets for books, programs, building repairs and maintenance.

At QPL, the November PEG reduced our collections by a approximately 25,000 print books and 5000 ebooks system line.

Weight times, as indicated by both Linda and Tony, The library materials have escalated with an average ebook weight now 63 days when it used to be 30 days.

Over the past 6 months, we have been forced to close our doors or delay our openings on 27 occasions due to staff shortages and building infrastructure failures.

And unfortunately and sadly, this is only the beginning.

The executive budget still include, as you know, $58,300,000 and the cut to QPL, BPL and NYPL.

The 3 of us are facing these losses while also confronting uncovered increased course, stemming from minimum wage and contractual increases, rising health insurance costs, and more.

QPL alone is facing $5,000,000 in uncovered costs alone.

And if the executive budget is adopted, it will force QPL to delay long awaited branch openings at Abe Terrace Broadway And Hillcrest libraries.

And as I indicated earlier, yesterday, I actually went to Bay Terrace and Broadway just to see the latest.

And they are gorgeous and it saddens me to say that the communities will not be able to participate if these budget cuts go into effect.

People are clamoring to get back into these libraries.

We will also need to close on Saturdays if these cuts go through.

At every location in the barrel except central and flushing.

2 Saturdays ago, we had a mobile food pantry outside our Peninsula library.

Where more than 400 individuals benefited from the distribution.

On that same day at our Canberra Heights team center, we hosted a prom x QPL prom attire giveaway, which offered teams, their friends, and family members the opportunity to choose a memorable outfit from more than 1000 new and gently used dresses, suits, shoes, handbags, and jewelry.

Generously donated by the community.

That would not be happening if we have to close on Saturdays.

Closing on Saturdays means we will be unable to offer these events and many other indispensable programs on Saturdays like ESL classes.

So story times, job skill trainings, and other crucial resources.

Our fantastic amazing staff are devoted to the communities they serve.

I am astounded by their commitment to meeting the ever growing needs of every individual who seeks our help.

But our staff are strained.

We are unable to hire the proper number of staff due to the mid year and upcoming cuts.

This is no way to run a library system, especially in New York City.

We are keeping libraries open by regularly shifting staff from different locations to fill gaps.

This is unsustainable.

We also cannot forget the impact on the budget as Linda and Tony have indicated on our capital budget.

As my colleagues explain, all three systems to stained a combined $125,000,000 capital program to eliminate the gap a peg.

This substantial cut put our entire portfolio at risk with projects susceptible to being paused or delayed if shortfall appears.

And we've all faced it.

Boiler's breakdown.

Air conditioning systems are not working, and that's no way to run our library.

There's no way to serve the public of New York City.

Our buildings are an average of fifty years old.

They need renovations.

Critical infrastructure replacement, resiliency projects, and more.

We have a duty to keep our buildings safe and modern both for our communities and our staff, but we cannot do that without the restoration of the capital funds.

When people are in need, when the city is in need, who they they turn to, are libraries.

Plain and simple.

Like Deborah, one of our customers at our Buxton library.

She found herself unexpectedly living in a shelter and without a job.

With the trusted guidance from library staff, Deborah was able to get 2 job offers from the US Postal Service.

She credits the library for lifting her up in her time of need.

This is just one of the many many many examples of the Rolls library plays in the lives of New Yorkers.

Libraries are vital to the quality of life in every neighborhood throughout the city.

One other quick side story, Before the pandemic, there was a customer that would come into the library at Central.

And I would see him every day, and he would get there as soon as we opened.

And we you would leave at 2:30.

He wouldn't read a book.

He just sat at a table and he sat there and sat there.

So one day I approached him, I said, you know, if you don't mind me asking you, so, you know, you come in our doors first thing in the morning, you leave at 2:30, I never see you read.

I don't see you even go into the bathroom.

And like, what's up?

And he said, you know what?

This library is my oasis from the craziness of life.

Plain and simple.

A true story.

That's what we represent to the people of New York City.

Plain and simple.

We cannot afford to deprive New York City residents of a robust elections, wide ranging, and diverse programs, access to resources, weekend service, reliable buildings that are equipped to withstand whatever the future holds.

We cannot deny our customers for being that oasis from the craziness of life.

Public libraries are the last

truly

democratic institution.

They have the power to change lives.

With your steadfast and continued advocacy, we are hopeful that the city will fully restore baseline and provide meaningful investment to all 3 public library systems in the city's fiscal year 25.

2025 adopted budget.

Thank you for your leadership chairs and members of the council and those who are not here.

We always appreciate it.

And thank you for the opportunity to talk to you this morning.

I wanna jump right into it.

So council's FY 24 budget response, we called on the administration to allocate an additional $58,300,000 to 3 library systems as funding would have restored the baseline cut of 22,100,000 to library budgets from the November plan would have reinstated the one shot funding from $20,500,000 from FY24, and it would have covered the $15,700,000 subsidy provided through the council discretionary funds.

None of these funds were restored in the executive plan.

So has the administration explained why none of this funding was included in their plan?

We have not heard anything at all.

I I will I will add, though.

I mean, we've had ongoing communication with administration around specific things, but nothing dealing with the budget itself.

Wild.

And would the $58,300,000 that restoration?

Would it sufficiently meet the expense needs of the 3 systems?

Yeah.

Not really.

I'm part of the problem with the way this process works and the fact that the executive of budget didn't make any restoration means that the conversation that we're having today is about getting back to where we've been.

But not actually getting to where we need to be.

So the 58.3 would basically get you back to 0.

And could I just add, Mister Chairman, it gets you back to 0, but we haven't been investing and planning and hiring.

So it doesn't even get you to 0 right away.

It takes us half a year to build these programs back up.

We, you know, we have amazing colleagues.

They don't just grow on trees.

They don't just fall when we want them.

They are human beings with lives.

We need to attract the best talent.

It takes time.

So, you know, even just the dance, Never mind covering our our real additional costs, inflation, and additional services for New Yorkers The dance means we can't even meet the current expectations.

So let's talk about headcount.

What's the total number of active employees at each of the systems, including full time and part time?

Could you give us a breakdown?

So the

New York Public Library, our total headcount is 2741.

That includes 2099 total salaried staff, full time and part time, as well as 1417 are union members.

We also have roughly 643 hourly in page positions.

In Brooklyn, we currently have 1257 employees, 989 full time, 268 part time part time.

We will have to the budgeted headcount was 1167@fy24.

And at Queen's, we have 1415 staff full time, 978 part time, 4 37 80% maybe 87% of the full time positions are union jobs.

And due to the peg and the budget outlook, we are down approximately 200 positions at this point.

Did New York and Brooklyn, did you guys mentioned how do you calculate your vacancies?

We have a 140 we will have a 146 vacancy.

Got

it.

Sorry.

I didn't hear it.

Okay.

Yeah.

Roughly 200.

Sorry.

I didn't hear you.

Okay.

Okay.

Capital funding.

So all three systems were forced to cut their capital portfolios by a combined $130,000,000 Could you tell us if this has led to projects being paused or delayed?

And if so, how many and what phases were some of these projects in?

So with Queen's, they're in various phases with the capital cut still, it really deals with them moving forward, so we're gonna have to stop a number of them.

And again, it's the uncertainty of knowing what amount of money we'll have available to us.

So that's part of the challenge as far as the status of the capital funding at this point.

And then in planning and moving forward, so we have a number like Bayley Park and several other libraries that are on hold at this point.

And we can give you a specific list

as well.

Because I know you you had testified in the past that capital projects that are near completion ultimately can't be completed due to the need for more funding.

Is that right?

Yep.

So with us, again, we have several of the projects that not gonna be paused but we will not be able to move forward with new projects.

Got it forward.

Yeah.

We've had to push out $41,000,000.

We've been requested to push out $41,000,000 of our capital.

And that means lots of amazing and essential renovations that were being planned, those plans have stopped.

There are a few instances where we were actually beyond planning and into design.

Again, had to stop.

We know that when we were turn to these projects, which we will have to.

These are capital requirements.

The city is obligated to meet these needs.

They will be more expensive.

And along the way, we'll have our branches closed because we'll have emergency repairs because we haven't been able to do the the necessary deferred maintenance.

It costs

a lot of money to do nothing.

Yeah.

Enough such thing as standing still.

In Brooklyn, we've had to eliminate $47,000,000 from our capital plan 4 renovations are in Jeopardy, Cortellou, Diker, Graves End, and Hylon.

And these are reductions that are forcing us to eliminate really long awaited renovations and to remove funding for capital projects eliminate critical infrastructure funds.

Yeah.

An exact amount just to give you the exact amount of the Queen's capital peg is 32.2 $1,000,000 is our capital pay.

Thank you.

And just another thing in terms of headcount, were there any changes since the pecs?

Well, we've been obviously slowed higher because of what we're anticipating.

I don't know

if I don't

I don't know if the exact number is sent.

Okay.

I mean, we the bottom line is that we've basically have stopped hiring.

And so while it's not a hard freeze, we have a really sore freeze.

We formed an internal committee.

That looks at priority hires that we need to put in place, but we're, as I indicated earlier, down 200.

And that's just due to the uncertainty.

It's due to oh, yeah.

And and then just if I may, picking up on Tony's point from earlier, that carries forward obviously into the new fiscal year.

So even if the money is restored, we're behind already because we don't have the positions there, the live are not going to open as a result of not happening those positions.

We have to post.

We have to go through the interviewing process.

So even with restoration, we're gonna be stretched even thinner for a period of time.

And so that's the challenges, I think.

And then, again, as I indicated in one other discussion point, we really have to deal with moving staff from point to point to point to point to cover that.

And then you have people who are retiring as well as people who just decide to leave.

So, I mean, those are all the vacancies that we have to manage to make sure the system is running.

My colleagues have covered it.

I'll just add that because we have because of the research library being mostly supported by private dollars, funding endowment, etcetera.

We face the challenges in that arena as well, because the city funding is essential.

Yeah.

And we can't You know, we simply can't deliver with this level of uncertainty.

We're not hiring.

When we do get restored, If it's not baseline, are we being responsible in hiring at that point?

Alright?

How do we attract the best talent the sorts of folks sitting behind me under those kinds of uncertain circumstances.

It's really quite un it's quite unthinkable.

Just for the record, speaking about the $58,300,000 that the council called on and what that would basically barely get us back to 0.

Is there a number that's not an aspirational number, but a number that you feel would make you whole in terms of what you've lost.

We need though that the number that we have lost restored.

We need it bet we need the city council's amazing efforts and support for us continued We need to make sure that the money that we saw restored but that was not baselined is baselined.

So that we don't keep coming back to 0 or negative numbers, in which case we cannot deliver what you need us.

Deliver?

I think if I interpret your question

Mhmm.

Properly, you're asking what we need over and above a full restoration Right.

Order to in order to be whole.

And I hesitate to throw a number out there, but I would be more than happy by the end of the day to provide something to you that I think would be.

And I and I'm not even you know, I don't want you to think that I'm being greedy here, but we could put very solid numbers together that would allow us to operate without the constant stress of being underfunded.

That would be helpful.

I mean, the council has maintained that there's enough money here to get us back to 0 and then some.

So I think it's important that we know.

The then some will be forthcoming.

Thank you.

Got it.

We encourage the then some because We a reality.

As far as

My team is saying that they think we need an additional 5,000,000 over and above full restoration.

And we've analyzed it as well, and ours is 5 1,000,000.

Ours is 9,000,000, but but again, I just wanna reiterate, if this isn't baselined, Right?

The city council should be talking to the administration to say it's not enough to restore these monies, to bring this dance to what would be then seen as a successful conclusion.

That is not a successful conclusion because we can't plan.

We can't hire.

We can't continue to invest unless we have the certainty of baselining going forward.

In addition, to the additional costs that we face $9,000,000 in the case of New York public.

So last from me.

So tomorrow, we're gonna ask OMB about libraries, and they're gonna tell us that they didn't tell you to cut 7 day service.

They're gonna tell you you should just tap into your endowment.

What is our response to that?

In Brooklyn, And I think I speak for all of us when I talk about the decision to cut Sunday service.

Sunday is far and away our most expensive day to operate.

And so when you're in an environment where you're trying to minimize the impact of of a constrained library system.

It makes most sense to start on Sundays.

It's also the day that's hardest to get people to work because it's voluntary.

So it's not it's not random and it's not political, it's it's just what makes sense fiscally.

So that's the answer to the Sunday issue.

And with respect to the endowment, Brooklyn has a small endowment, and it's not legal actually

for us

to just spend.

Thank you all very much.

Chair Rivera.

Thank you very much.

Just wanna you know, Linda mentioned being up at night, you know, and and how distressing this is.

Certainly, I've been thinking of these these cuts a lot.

I I I am up in the middle of the night, but the baby has listened to a lot of COUNCIL LIVE IN NEW YORK 1.

Just BECAUSE PROTECTING OUR DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS ARE SO SO IMPORTANT.

And I had a questions on, you know, what is it that you will provide and how are the communities impacted, but I thought you laid that out quite brilliantly in your opening statements that included in attendance and membership up by 40%.

You offer citizenship classes, and you go to senior centers and nursing homes and cut to essential lifelines like food pantries.

I mean, this is really critical services, tax prep, college, and career hubs, the prom dress donation I found, you know, especially touching I was so thrilled that I got to go to prom.

And I remember when I donated my dress afterwards because I just wanted someone else to have that.

So I think that there's these experiences in these little moments throughout this very, very vibrant and energetic city that we all have to come to appreciate, and sometimes it's in that quiet, in that space.

In your libraries that allow someone to have that.

So what percentage of the system's budget is city funding?

You do all this with the with with these funds What percentage of the system's budget is city funding?

Good question.

For Brooklyn, it's 85%.

Foot queens is roughly 90%, 92%, give a take.

And we're a slightly different animal.

We're at about 60%.

Still all above.

Essential.

Essential 60%.

It's the, you know, the lion's share for the branches as per an agreement signed with Andrew Carnegie.

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.

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

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.

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

But it's not sufficient.

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.

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

Our mobile library was there.

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

So some mobile libraries there as well.

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

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

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

Based on the cut.

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

The

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

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

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.

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.

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

I know they're HVACs or Mhmm.

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.

If I could ask you about specific examples in in each of the boroughs, Can the New York Public Library provide a status update on the Tomkins Square And West New Brighton Comprehensive Renovation Projects and the projected completion date, and has the Department of Design And Construction remained on target?

Sure.

I can start Tomkins Square.

We are engaged in a 30,100,000 dollars comprehensive renovation.

It's in the planning phase.

Funding starts in FY 25.

We hope to be able to do this, please.

At West New Brighton, $16,500,000 comprehensive renovation plan, also in the planning phase.

We're waiting for design CP approval at OMB.

This project will be managed by EDC.

That's a that's a great partnership.

Let me just reiterate.

We are prepared to put private dollars into into play.

To make it possible for us to do what are called pass throughs, to work with other city agencies.

We, you know, we love our colleagues at DDC, but the truth is when we do that with a work with them, it takes twice as long Yeah.

Costs twice as much.

The city isn't getting half as much bang for its buck.

So we look for these kinds of great other partnerships that can get us a better result for all the all the citizens of New York.

Especially in these neighborhoods that are so desperate for their library services.

We we agree that going to multiple agencies to get to this phase is a bit cumbersome and can take quite a long time.

Before we leave Manhattan, I think battery park is here.

In into Brooklyn, can can you provide a status date on the Eastern Parkway in Brownsville overhaul projects and the projected completion date and has DDC remained on target?

So Eastern Parkway.

Sorry.

Eastern Parkway is a $20,000,000 full restoration project, which is planned, but not until spring of next year.

We've asked for an additional $750,000 for initial outfitting.

But hopefully, this project will be able to stay on course should things turn around.

I'm sorry.

The other one you asked about was Brownsville.

Tom, not Yes.

Brownsville.

And in Brownsville, the branch has $23,300,000 in the fiscal 20 24-2028 commitment plan for another full branch renovation, which includes a rooftop addition.

This this Project has been in the works for a long time.

Additional public service space, new landscaping, a green roof, security, and fire safety systems, a new system to make it fossil fuel free and sustainable.

Okay.

And in Queens, the corona branch expansion?

Sure.

Corona is increasing the building floor area by 7500 square feet to 16,000 square feet.

Probably maybe even closer to 18,000 DDC construction budget is roughly $28,400,000.

Current status is that DTC's front end planning unit is engaged in this process right now working with our folks.

DDC forecasts of substantial completion is to be determined.

Current plans for the lot to bulldoze a house that we own next door that will be torn down and leveled to the ground and then building a security fence so the space can be used by our facilities team as well as DDC's team, and then we'll start the renovation of Corona.

So it's in the front end and planning with it right now with DDC.

So how much funding would be required to reinstate Sunday hours for all for for all libraries in each system.

I know there's a few numbers there, but

We need a full rest full restoration to do that.

And you've mentioned an additional 5 months ago.

Additional money would be great that would allow us to be properly staffed, you know, at a full complement.

So the libraries offer, you know, books and materials in in many languages.

You touched on that in your testimony.

How many languages our audiobooks provided in or print books just to give an idea.

We'll get you that precise number.

I mean, it is astonishing.

I know the New York the public school system, for instance, through our My Library's NYC partnership, In effect, depends upon our providing books in the multiple languages that they simply cannot.

In addition to our shelves and the branches, you know, tailored to the needs of each neighborhood and the languages that are being met there.

And we have amazing staff who are, you know, fluent in those languages.

We use technology to help us when we when we need help.

We are the first place of immigrants.

We always have been.

Because we're trusted, because we don't ask for your papers, because we respect you.

We're inclusive.

We want everyone to come and they can tell the languages are just a part of that.

I don't know the exact number in audiobooks, but I will say that the services that we provide in multiple languages is extraordinary.

And I always hesitate to say this number because it sounds so large, but we offer services in over 60 languages.

Throughout the borough.

And in Brooklyn where half the half the family speak a language other than English at home, it's essential that we'd be able to continue to do so.

So in Queens, we have roughly 191 languages represented in our collection, not audiobooks, but in our collection.

And roughly dozens in audiobooks itself.

But obviously, as Tony indicated, based on the neighborhood, we always make show we tailor our collections and to invest of our ability, our audiobooks, to the neighborhood demographics as well.

I just wanna thank you for that because I know even in my own district, we've had many people who are seeking asylum go to Saint Bridges, which is a church and former school and seeking services in Tomkins Square Park Library has actually added a section to accommodate the languages from West Africa.

And I know that you're doing that in your branches across the city, and we all know Queens.

I mean, you can walk in Queens and hear 50 languages in a given day.

So I wanna thank you for doing that.

Just a couple more questions because I know my colleagues are anxious to also engage with you.

Do the systems offer toddler programs asking for a friend.

Mhmm.

Absolutely.

Our our, you know, our early childhood story hours are are I think we were, I know, at roughly a million visits to those a year.

I think we're coming back towards those numbers, post pandemic.

You know, in you know, they are the essential sort of first foundation block where parents and caregivers have a place to go.

They learn how to teach reading.

The students get excited to buy reading and buy being with other students who are reading.

They grab books on the way out, often the caregivers or the parents sign up for education programs while they're there for story hours.

That is foundational.

We love our story hours.

The idea that if we have branches closed, we can't offer those.

Is just unthinkable.

Yeah.

I mean, obviously, services 0 to 5 are are bread and butter.

We even have stroller parking if your friend might be worried about what to do with their stroller while her kids are in story hour.

We haven't gotten to know anything yet.

So so funny, you should say that, Tony, because, yes, we do to answer your question.

No.

I I thought of that idea.

The folks behind me know that I have that crazy idea.

There's one library in particular.

Where the strollers are lined up all the way.

And I said someone whose entrepreneurial could really make a lot of money they wanted to have valet parking destroyers.

Yes to your question, and we pride ourselves in that.

Let me my mental sanity is directly correlated to the number of strollers I see outside our door.

Plain and simple because you know what's taking place at those hours.

And that to me is the bread and butter of what we do.

So, yes, we do.

I know you brought and you brought back so much programming.

You know, during the pandemic, you moved to have an expanded virtual presence and and remote offerings.

You're still offering virtual programs, obviously.

So can you just talk very briefly about that just so I can get to my colleague's question.

Yeah.

Thanks so much for that question.

Because one thing that has added significantly to our operating costs is that during the pandemic, we all sort of transformed ourselves into digital enterprises, and it was necessary, and it was fabulous.

And, unfortunately, it made the ability to reach those on the wrong side of the digital divide that much more difficult.

And then as we started reopening and taking full advantage of our bricks and mortar libraries.

We find ourselves in the position of having to finance not only the traditional bricks and mortar business, but also the digital enterprise because there's once that Once that box was open, there's no way to put that back nor do we want to.

But part of the reason that our expenses have increased, not only inflation, but also the fact that our business is much more complicated today than it was before the pandemic.

I'll just reiterate the digital divide continues to be a major problem.

I mean, let's just be very clear.

Something like 1 and a half to 2000000 New Yorkers don't have broadband at home.

Imagine living through the pandemic.

When that was the only way to go to school.

That was the only way to go to work or to do research or to be in touch with your loved ones.

Imagine being cut off like that in the world that is the communications capital of the globe.

We are we have a pilot project.

We've been investing millions of private dollars to figure out whether citizens band radio can be a way to provide basic utility level broadband to every New Yorker for free by broadcasting it from our branches.

We'll explore anything.

As Linda said, the pandemic proved that our investment in digital had been foresighted.

I wish that it hadn't proven it so powerfully, but it did.

We we didn't lose any circulation.

We shifted to ebooks.

On the research library, we're aspiring to provide every book ever written to anyone on the planet as an ebook.

And now that people are returning, thank God, to regular something more like regular life and enjoying each other's company and community and physical spaces that we need to be sure are inviting and and and respectful of people.

We're now doing both.

As my colleagues say, we're running 2 libraries Mhmm.

On the budget, we used to run 1.

And we're here talking about restoration of massive cuts.

We're not even talking about the resources to maintain those additional expectations that we are proud to provide to the city of New York.

So one of our programs is a mailable program.

And mailable did something this year.

And prior years, but this year, I think it was even more people participated where we had a New Year's Eve celebration for people who are home bound for the most part.

And it was fantastic, and I joined in for a little bit.

And those are the types of things we do, and we have orthotics, ESO world classes virtually in addition to having in person as well.

And so those are the things that we get involved in.

And then one of our key people at the library is Ralph McDaniel's.

And Ralph of those who know Ralph is video music box.

And so Ralph holds his DJ Munch brunch sessions on a regular basis on Saturday and during the week and then uses that for various program reinforcement as well.

So we've incorporated both the virtual side as well as the in person side and as Tony indicated.

And Linda indicated, you know, we're running 2 libraries for the benefit of the public.

Thank you for that.

I just wanted to highlight how much work you do in terms of your remote presence.

And of course, you're going to hear from our colleagues about our experiences.

Even as council members, I know my first experiences were watching drag story hour.

I think now also with what we're seeing across the country with banned books and how you all continue to help not just New Yorkers, but other people read books that are important to our development as people.

And civic engagement, what you offer in terms of computer services.

Thank you.

With that, I will turn it over back to the chair.

Thank you very much.

Thank you, Chair Rivera.

We've also been joined by Council members Hudson and Osse on Zoom as well as Council member Brewer.

Now we're gonna start with questions.

From council member Lewis followed by Brooks Powers.

The Brooklyn library has been a major force in providing services for entrepreneurs with learning and certification opportunities for MWBEs.

Through the BPL Business Center, which you also call power up pitch.

So I wanted to know, do you have figures on how many businesses are being supported through the MWE Clinic in the Brooklyn Public Library branches in FY Twenty Four.

And what does that look like in FY Twenty Five?

And how many times a year does the program operate, and how many branches are served through this programming.

Good morning.

Good morning.

I don't have the exact figures, but I can get them for you quickly.

And in terms of how many times they're offered like power up, for example, is a 9 month period.

It's an annual program that operates for the majority of the year, it progresses toward the culmination of an investment in a local

And will this program see cuts in hours and scope due to cuts indicated in the FY 25 budget?

And what does that look like?

Some of these programs that you've mentioned are privately funded programs.

The problem is that if the branches aren't open, there's no place for people to come and take advantage of those programs.

There's no way to offer the services that we've come to offer.

And so it's a real problem.

So even if you have the benefit of private funding for a particular programming.

If you don't have the the physical space to have the sessions that you need in order to accomplish the goals, it's all sort of pointless.

Right.

Thank you so much.

That's all my questions.

Cheers.

Thank you.

Thank you, and thank you for today's testimony.

Just a few quick questions.

Mister Marks, you had mentioned in your testimony in terms of 69 unplanned closures, and 34 branches that were closed due to staff and shortages, was that solely with the New York library or is that across the in all of the boroughs?

That that's 3 boroughs.

That's our Manhattan so Staten Island and the Bronx.

Would you be able to provide us with a list of which ones were impacted?

Sure.

We can get that to you.

And then

Each one is a tragedy, of course.

Also, I know that my colleagues had spoken about the the capital projects and where they are, and we've been working closely with Mister Walcott on that trying to see these projects moves back up.

So our understanding is that OMB has either canceled or pushed out a significant number of capital projects.

I know most council projects were moved back up, but can you provide a list of projects that were funded by the this administration that were either rescinded and canceled entirely or have been intentionally pushed into the out years, like fiscal year 33, and has OMB indicated whether these projects will be restored or committed into earlier fiscal years.

And then my last question is, of course, Kim missed the opportunity to check on the status of the Farakaway libraries.

I'm surprised that wasn't your first name.

Opening.

You know, I was just trying to I know you It's my way in there.

So oh, Linda's looking at me.

So I guess I'm responding to Far Rock.

And then we can take the other parts of the world.

That's a real question.

So we're looking at mid summer.

As you know, we're stacking books right now in the far Rockaway is an citing opportunity when you're ready to participate in it to

Yes.

I missed the other day.

I would like to if we reschedule it.

Glad to reschedule it.

So we're stacking the books in Far Rockaway.

And it's moving along nicely.

I mean, it really is shaping up, and our timeline is mid July, end of July.

Give it take a couple of weeks.

So we're excited.

And as you know, we'll maintain the teen library as well in Far Rockaway.

So we'll have the new Far Rockaway branch as well as the teen library.

We are phasing out The temporary site, we're doing grab and go there right now, so that way the staff can concentrate the stacking of the books and setting up the new buildings.

That's the status quo.

Is there any way we could speed up the opening to, like, early July?

I mean, June is here now.

But

Yeah.

I would not make a commitment to that.

I mean, if it happens as a result of the hard work and the great work of the staff and the staffing.

The stacking of the books.

And then the other thing that I think you've been involved in a discussion as well, that backyard area will be open to the public.

So we've already set that up and the signage has been reflecting that'll be open to the public as well.

But I cannot miss the opportunity to advocate, to put the far rock away, name somewhere prominently on the door.

So that when people come, they know that they're not just coming to the queen's library, but that they're into the far takeaway library so that the community feels seen in the the new design because as beautiful.

And as we know when nice shiny things come to community, communities often feel like they're being pushed out.

And We've received a number of emails making this request, so I wouldn't be doing my job if I did not advocate, and I would love to see it I'm I'm sure there's a design that works to incorporate it.

And then also since we're talking about my libraries now, If you could just tell me about Laurelton, and that's it.

And thank you, chairs.

Sure.

No.

I'm prepared for Laurelton as well.

In that, as you know, Laurelton is closed at this particular point.

And as a result of your advocacy, we have the local library there on Saturdays, and we were there for the opening of the mobile library there for the 1st Saturday.

And with Laurelton, DDC construction budget is roughly of 1,800,000, and that's for roof replacement with substantial completion projected for third quarter of 2024.

And then the 2nd phase will be dealing with additional work and that DDC construction budget will be 13.9, but that's off in the future.

So Laurelton is moving along nicely, and we'll have the mobile library there.

On Saturdays.

And often the future isn't fiscal 33.

Sorry.

Good day.

Often often the future is not fiscal year 33, though.

Right?

Not that

We hope not.

I mean, that goes back to push out, and I think we've been able to get yeah.

Removed.

Go ahead, buddy.

Yeah.

Can you push back?

Yeah.

Those rolled those

I've been rolled back.

Have those

have all been rolled back.

The the library projects that were being pushed out as much as 10 years have all been rolled back.

But that was just the ones that were 6 council funded.

There's a lot of

Yep.

You know, of projects that are being pushed out because the capital budget's been pushed out.

So going back to the original question, can you tell us which ones those are?

We'll give you the breakdown.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Thank you.

Thank you for your advocacy.

Thank you so much, chairs, and thank you for being here.

And I just wanna give a a big gratitude to all of our library workers You all are brilliant, so talented, and it it just hurts my heart to hear that we're in a place where we can't bring in all of the sort of folks who are trying to get into this industry.

And that that's a a big failure for for our city.

Of course, the Sunday cuts have had a devastating effect on our city and to think that Saturday services might be cut also is it's overwhelming.

It's overwhelming and It is disruptive to our local democracy, just like real talk.

This is disruptive to our local democracy as other states ban books, our libraries, you all have stood firm in pushing back against censorship and really making sure that our libraries are dedicated to intellectual freedom, curiosity, and allowing all types of characters and authors to be in our shelves and on our walls.

So I I just wanna get into the weeds a little about how the impact of cuts on programs are going to impact children and teens.

And I want to go through because the library has coverage of so many constituencies.

So I have a couple of questions.

Number 1, when you mentioned EDC, I wanted to know How does one get to renovate with EDC as opposed to DDC?

What's that process?

Because I didn't know you could do that, and that's a great idea.

Number 2 on technology.

In the past, we always tried, I don't know if you still have e rate.

And I was wondering if you do, is that something that we could still consider if we have federal support of pushing it out into the neighborhoods.

And just on technology in general, I wanted to know, you know, every 5 years, you almost need new support in terms of the hardware or software.

I wanna know what your technology budgets are and how this could be impacted.

And then we all all the literacy programs have wait lists So I was just wondering what your wait lists are.

And then also just on the Sunday research libraries, are they open on Sunday?

Obviously, the branches are dealing with this insane budget cut, but I didn't know if the research libraries were also.

And then in the past, I should know this, but we're What was baselined in the past, if anything?

Those are my questions.