Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
AGENCY TESTIMONY
Current funding situation and request for additional library support
0:09:48
·
61 sec
Johnson outlines the current funding challenges faced by libraries and calls for increased financial support. She highlights the need for additional investment to meet rising costs and demands.
- Mentions that library funding has remained flat despite increasing costs and demand
- Appreciates the $15.7 million in operating support from the FY26 executive budget
- Requests an additional $44.8 million for unmet needs and $2 million for expanded services
Linda Johnson
0:09:48
After years of fending off cuts, library operating funding has remained flat even as costs and demand continue to rise.
0:09:58
Our patrons and staff including our DC Thirty Seven partners who will testify today deserve better than another year of doing more with less.
0:10:10
We are encouraged that the fiscal year twenty six executive budget added $15,700,000 in operating support for libraries.
0:10:20
That investment is welcome though unfortunately not baselined.
0:10:25
I am optimistic that with your help the full funding of our library systems required to sustain and strengthen our services will be secured.
0:10:37
That means allocating another $44,800,000 for our unmet needs and an additional $2,000,000 for the speaker's proposal to expand seven day service.