REMARKS
Council Member Carlina Rivera's opening remarks on libraries and civic engagement
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4 min
Council Member Carlina Rivera, Chair of the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries, and International Intergroup Relations, delivers opening remarks for an oversight hearing on the role of New York City's library systems in promoting civic engagement and voter empowerment. She highlights the importance of libraries in providing free access to resources, supporting community building, and facilitating civic participation.
- Rivera emphasizes the critical role of libraries in educating and empowering voters for the upcoming November 5th election.
- She mentions that it's Banned Books Week and commends the libraries' efforts in fighting book banning.
- The Council Member encourages New Yorkers to visit their local libraries, register to vote (deadline October 26), and get involved in civic activities.
Carlina Rivera
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Good morning.
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I am counsel member Karleen Rivera, Chair of the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries, And International Intergroup Relations.
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Welcome to our Oversight Hearing.
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Her libraries empower New Yorkers to become inform the voters and engage the citizens.
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As most of you know, library services in New York City are provided through 3 Independent Systems, the Brooklyn Public Library, which serves the borough of Brooklyn.
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The New York Public Library, which serves the boroughs of Manhattan, Staten Island, and the Bronx, and the Queens Public Library, which serves the Great borough of Queens.
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As a New Yorker, I could not be more proud of everything that these three systems bring to our city.
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Collectively, these institutions offer free and equitable access to a vast array of resources and programming, serving as essential hubs for learning and community building.
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Beyond providing books, periodicals, and electronic resources, They offer programs ranging from early childhood literacy to workforce development, catering to a diverse population across all five boroughs.
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However, libraries are not only places for accessing information, but also for learning about an actively participating in our democratic society.
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What we are here to talk about today is the incredible work they do in facilitating civic engagement and in bringing together community residents, particularly those from underserved neighborhoods and marginalized populations to make important changes in their local communities.
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Each library system has undertaken significant initiatives dedicated to educating and empowering voters.
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I believe these services are also critical in helping to get out the vote on November 5th.
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As we delve into today's hearing, I'm eager to explore the myriad ways these libraries have prepared our communities for the upcoming election and how they continue to support the broader civic engagement of New Yorkers.
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Furthermore, the committee aims to understand how the city council can bolster these efforts, ensuring that our libraries remain vibrant centers of civic life.
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Before moving into this important hearing topic, I would like to note that this week is ban books week across the nation.
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In February, this committee held a hearing on New York City libraries fight against banning books.
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It was incredible.
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I was honored to chair that hearing and to commend the work that our libraries were doing in helping to fight book banning that was occurring every day, including way outside of our city limits and and and within them.
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We continue to be proud of our library's ongoing leadership in this national arena.
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So I encourage everyone, please, go to your local library, see the incredible things that they're doing.
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And there, you could also register to vote, and the registration deadline is October 26.
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Through your research, register to vote, be involved, and you can start right in your local library.
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Now I wanna acknowledge my colleagues in the committee who are present.
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We are joined by council member, Hanif, via Zoom, and, of course, council members, Hudson and Carr.
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I want to thank the committee staff.
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They work really hard in putting together every hearing, and especially this hearing, Christina Yelomanti, the committee's counsel, Regina Paul, the committee's policy analyst, and Sandra Gray, the committee's finance analyst.
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I also wanna thank my staff, Katie Loeb, my chief of staff, and Edward Amador, my director of legislation.
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I would like to remind everyone who wishes to testify in person today to fill out a white appearance card which is located on the desk of the sergeant at arms near the entrance of this room even if you have already registered in advance that you will be specifying in person today, please still fill out a slip, and I wanna thank all the sergeants for their work always.
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I am also going to ask my colleagues to limit their questions and comments in 5 minutes.
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And as a reminder to all of our witnesses, please state your name prior to your testimony for the record.
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We're ready to start with the panel of representatives from the libraries, and please say your name for for the record when you start your testimony, and you may begin.
