Q&A
Council Member Farah Louis questions Brooklyn Public Library about Clarendon branch closure and civic engagement services
1:08:05
·
4 min
Council Member Farah Louis raises concerns about the prolonged closure of the Clarendon library branch and its impact on civic engagement services, particularly in light of the upcoming November election. Edwin Maxwell from Brooklyn Public Library responds to these concerns and discusses their efforts to maintain services during the closure.
- Louis expresses frustration with the delayed reopening of the Clarendon branch and the inadequacy of mobile library services.
- Maxwell explains BPL's efforts to maintain services through partnerships and staff presence in the community.
- The exchange highlights the urgency of reopening the library to support civic engagement, especially for the upcoming election.
Farah Louis
1:08:05
Thank you so much, chair, and good morning.
1:08:08
I'm just gonna ask all the questions that you could answer them afterwards because one of them is pretty long.
1:08:15
So as some of you may know, Clarendon library and the Clarendon branch in my district has been closed for considerable amount of time, maybe over 3 years now.
1:08:27
During its closure, local residents and family seeking library services have been referred to a 1 day a week mobile library to replace the services typically offered by the full branch.
1:08:39
How would you describe the services being provided by the mobile librarian comparison to what would normally be available at a fully operational branch, particularly in terms of programming such as literacy programs, educational workshops, and what we hear for today, civic engagement efforts.
1:08:56
What steps is BPL taking to ensure that the community, especially children and families, continue to receive access to civic information while the Clarinin library branch remains closed leading up to the vital election on November 5th?
1:09:12
Second quest second question to echo chair Rivera's questions on language, access, and diversity.
1:09:20
Given the large immigrant population in the Clarendon and rugby branch service areas in my district, what specific efforts are being made to provide multilingual programming and resources such as legal workshops or ESL classes to support immigrants in their path to citizenship to ensure equitable access to library services?
1:09:43
Thank you.
Edwin Maxwell
1:09:44
I'll take the first part of that question.
1:09:47
So as far as Clariden, BBC, told us that we can expect to open in 2025.
1:09:56
And we're aware, right, we've gone through one of the largest innovations as a public library system over the last few years, and we'll continue over the next couple of years.
1:10:07
And we're aware that we wanna make sure that every neighborhood has the correct access, the right amount the access that you spoke about that it would happen if their library was open.
1:10:19
So we have kind of changed philosophies on how to service neighborhoods.
1:10:24
And when the branch is closed, traditionally, we did have, like, a a mobile or a a mobile bus a couple of times a week, but we've looked to do had to have services that far expand that.
1:10:37
So one of the things that we're doing now is making sure that that staff from that library that the community has gotten comfortable with remains in that area.
1:10:45
So it heavily relies on partnerships in the area so that we can continue to have the same amount of programs there.
1:10:54
Then that is in addition to having mobile services.
1:10:57
Right?
1:10:57
So I think that combination of those 2 things so that we're not just heavily relying on 1 or 2 times a week having mobile service, but really having a commitment to work with the community partners within that neighborhood to continue to provide those programs and services.
1:11:18
While the branch is under renovation.
1:11:20
But I hope to get clarity back.
Farah Louis
1:11:23
I I thank you for that response.
1:11:25
And I think that while BPL is a great partner with my district, the problem that I have was we were told that it was gonna open back on the fall.
1:11:35
So if you say you're trying to service all districts, all neighborhoods, here's a district in an area that is being disproportionately marginalized because contractors are not doing their job, which means now you have a population of folks that are not getting civic engagement opportunities because you're not doing your due diligence.
1:11:55
So whether if it's EDC, DDC, or BPO, we should all be coming together to ensure that there are civic engagement classes for our youth.
1:12:05
The once a week mobile is not gonna work.
1:12:08
And most parents don't feel comfortable having their children on the mobile site, just so you all are aware.
1:12:15
I think it's unfair, it's unethical, and we need to do a better job after this hearing to ensure that we get this site open this fall.
1:12:24
We have a very important job to take care of in November, and we have about a month to get it done and to get people engaged.
1:12:31
There's no reason why this library shouldn't be open just because of a HVAC system.
1:12:35
It's not fair.
Edwin Maxwell
1:12:38
Yep.
1:12:38
I absolutely agree, and we're willing to do whatever we can, and we would love to work with you even more on.
1:12:43
And I know you have been a strong supporter of that community.
Farah Louis
1:12:46
The best way we could work together is to get this library open this fall.
Edwin Maxwell
1:12:50
Yes.
1:12:50
Absolutely.
