REMARKS
Funding needs for library programs and services
0:57:53
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113 sec
Library representatives emphasize the crucial role of funding in maintaining and expanding their programs and services. They highlight how financial support impacts various aspects of their operations.
- Funding is needed to employ more multilingual staff members
- Financial support is crucial for expanding programs like 'We Speak' and other language initiatives
- Council Member Rivera acknowledges that the budget conversation is intertwined with all aspects of library services
- Funding is essential for continuing citizenship study groups, teen civic ambassador programs, and other community engagement initiatives
- The importance of providing living wages for library staff is mentioned as part of the overall funding needs
Edwin Maxwell
0:57:53
Agreed.
0:57:54
I don't I don't think I can say anything different from my colleagues that we share all of all of the same struggles and successes.
0:58:03
I just wanna highlight again that the best way to help is through that funding source.
0:58:12
Like, both of my colleagues spoke spoke about our language capacity in the branches, but even with all our devices and all our efforts, don't match delinquent capacity of our residents.
0:58:27
So funding helps us employ more multilingual staff members, expand these programs that we're speaking of, the we speak program amongst others.
0:58:40
So that would be the greatest use to us.
0:58:43
You know, everything is gonna come down to funding.
0:58:45
I know you said that we're gonna talk about that in a moment, but that is the greatest way And I would also I know that you have done programs and use your multilingual abilities and and and my feeling, Queens branches, and we always will invite you out to Brooklyn as well.
Carlina Rivera
0:59:03
Well, I can't wait to go because you mentioned voter voter, like, swag, and you all have, like, a rep for the swag.
0:59:10
Like, I just wanna say, I have, like, a toad with the pigeon d jang.
0:59:14
It's, like, iconic, but I just wanna thank you all.
0:59:17
And listen, you know, the the budget conversation is gonna be intertwined in everything.
0:59:21
So let's just let's just say what it is.
0:59:23
It's gonna be important in the work that you do and how you're promoting the citizenship study groups to help soon to be citizens repair for the US citizen test in order to keep going with the teen civic ambassadors, with neighbors, meeting chat sessions, all of that is contingent upon what you're able to do and how you're able to support your own staff with a living wage.
0:59:44
So with that, I'm gonna go to Council member Carr.
