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Capital needs and infrastructure challenges of Brooklyn Public Library
0:09:26
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Linda E. Johnson details the significant capital needs and infrastructure challenges faced by Brooklyn Public Library. She emphasizes the aging building stock, maintenance issues, and the need for substantial investment in renovations and upgrades.
- Highlights the loss of nearly 500 operating hours due to aging infrastructure issues
- Notes that the average age of library branches is over 70 years, with 19 buildings more than a century old
- Outlines $400 million in unfunded capital needs, including urgent projects for roofs, HVAC, fire safety, and accessibility
- Requests sustained investment in the city's ten-year capital plan for efficient planning and modernization of facilities
Linda E. Johnson
0:09:26
Building maintenance is another growing cost and urgent concern.
0:09:31
In year '20 '20 '4, we lost nearly five hundred hours of operating time due to aging infrastructure.
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On average, our branches are over 70 years old and 19 of our buildings are more than a century old.
0:09:47
Maintenance costs for HVAC, fire alarms, and elevators have risen by $3,000,000 in the past five years.
0:09:56
Keeping libraries open consistently is our top priority, but failing systems put service at risk.
0:10:05
Last year, city council rescinded four I'm sorry.
0:10:09
Last year, the city rescinded $47,000,000 of capital funds compounding the challenges we already face.
0:10:18
Brooklyn Public Library's unfunded capital needs now exceed, I hate to use the number four at the beginning of this, but $400,000,000.
0:10:30
1 third of which are urgent emergency projects like roofs, HVAC systems, fire safety, and accessibility upgrades.
0:10:41
But we must also consider longer term projects.
0:10:45
This year Brooklyn Public Library's submission for the ten year plan included $307,700,000 to cover critical system wide infrastructure and to initiate cost effective comprehensive branch overhauls rather than piecemeal projects.
0:11:05
It has been a decade since libraries last received a major allocation in the city's ten year capital plan which we used to launch transformational projects such as our renovations at Canarsie and New Lots Libraries.
0:11:20
These new innovative spaces will serve as beacons in their neighborhoods, meeting our strategic priorities with dedicated teen spaces and larger community meeting rooms.
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All Brooklyn neighborhoods should have modern libraries with spaces that accommodate patrons' needs, but without recurring capital funding we cannot efficiently plan, modernize, or manage our facilities.
0:11:47
Sustained investment in the ten year capital plan is needed.
0:11:51
We are deeply grateful to the council, to our Brooklyn delegation, and individual council members for their steadfast support of library capital projects.
0:12:02
As in previous years, Brooklyn Public Library is requesting $10,000,000 in discretionary capital funding from the council through our delegation to address repairs and project shortfalls across the borough.
0:12:17
New Yorkers deserve beautiful, safe public spaces.