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QUESTION

What would the $58.3 million budget restoration mean for New York City's public libraries?

0:41:46

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The $58.3 million budget restoration would technically reset the budget for New York City's public library systems to their previous levels, but not immediately restore full services and programs.

It would take around 6 months to rebuild programs and hire needed staff
Attracting qualified library staff takes time
Even with the restoration, libraries would still face challenges covering inflation and expanding services
The restoration alone would not allow libraries to meet current service expectations right away

Justin Brannan

0:41:46

And would the $58,300,000 that restoration?

0:41:51

Would it sufficiently meet the expense needs of the 3 systems?

Linda Johnson

0:41:57

Yeah.

0:41:57

Not really.

0:41:58

I'm part of the problem with the way this process works and the fact that the executive of budget didn't make any restoration means that the conversation that we're having today is about getting back to where we've been.

0:42:10

But not actually getting to where we need to be.

Justin Brannan

0:42:13

So the 58.3 would basically get you back to 0.

Tony Marx

0:42:17

And could I just add, Mister Chairman, it gets you back to 0, but we haven't been investing and planning and hiring.

0:42:24

So it doesn't even get you to 0 right away.

0:42:26

It takes us half a year to build these programs back up.

0:42:30

We, you know, we have amazing colleagues.

0:42:33

They don't just grow on trees.

0:42:35

They don't just fall when we want them.

0:42:37

They are human beings with lives.

0:42:40

We need to attract the best talent.

0:42:42

It takes time.

0:42:44

So, you know, even just the dance, Never mind covering our our real additional costs, inflation, and additional services for New Yorkers The dance means we can't even meet the current expectations.

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Why was funding for the library systems not included in the administration's budget plan?

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What is the total number of active employees, including full-time and part-time staff, at each of the library systems?