Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Shima Zaira, High School Senior at Urban Assembly School for Leadership and Empowerment
2:41:56
ยท
123 sec
Shima Zaira, a high school senior, testifies in support of Intro 1125-2024, a bill requiring the Department of Education to record the accessibility of libraries in schools. She emphasizes the importance of libraries for student success and highlights the violation of existing New York State laws on school libraries.
- Zaira represents 495 students from her school and all NYC students concerned about library accessibility.
- She points out that many NYC schools are not complying with state laws regarding library establishment and certified librarians.
- Zaira attends a Title I school with a majority immigrant student body that lacks access to a library, impacting their ability to work on assignments and receive librarian support.
High School Senior
2:41:56
Good morning.
2:41:57
My name is Shima Zaira, a high school senior at the Urban Assembly School for Leadership and Empowerment in Brooklyn, New York.
2:42:03
I live in District 40 with Rita Joseph as my council member representative.
2:42:07
Today, I am here to represent the 495 students in my school, as well as all New York City Students who understand the urgency of the library's count bill.
2:42:16
I testify in support of the one one two five dash twenty twenty four bill to require the Department of Education to record the accessibility of libraries in schools.
2:42:25
Not only is this issue detrimental to the college readiness and academic success of students, but is also in violation of pre existing laws.
2:42:33
According to the New York State Law on School Libraries, section 91.1 states that a library has to be established and maintained in every school and there should be a minimum number of books based on school size.
2:42:44
Section 91.2 mentions that each district to have a certified library media specialist unless an alternative arrangement is approved of.
2:42:53
Clearly not every New York City school is complying with these state laws and recognizing the severity of this issue is not possible without data collection.
2:43:01
It is alarming to my peers and I that the New York City Department of Education does not already have data on the accessibility of libraries.
2:43:08
This bill will not only strengthen preexisting laws, but hold New York City schools accountable for their violation of state laws.
2:43:16
Yes, it will take time and planning, but passing this bill will be monumental because the students in this city need more transparency and need more clarity from the Department of Education.
2:43:27
I attend a title one school with a majority immigrant student body that does not have access to a library.
2:43:32
This means that my peers and I do not have a designated space to work on our assignments or the support of a librarian for research projects and finding books to read.
2:43:41
Is it truly equitable for our city to continue accepting the disparity between public schools or is it time to reform our education system to serve the students?
2:43:51
Because when you improve the lives of students, you improve the lives of all citizens in this city.
2:43:55
We highly advise you to move forward with this bill.
2:43:57
Thank you for your time and consideration.