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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Melissa Peralta, Children's Librarian at Washington Irving Branch of Brooklyn Public Library
4:07:41
·
109 sec
Melissa Peralta, a children's librarian at Brooklyn Public Library's Washington Irving Branch, testifies about the importance of library services and the need for increased funding. She highlights the diverse programs offered and the personal impact on community members, particularly families and immigrants.
- Emphasizes the high demand for library programs and the inability to meet all requests due to staffing limitations
- Calls for increased funding to support more staff and programs that respond to community needs
- Stresses the role of libraries in empowering children, supporting immigrant families, and strengthening neighborhoods
Melissa Peralta
4:07:41
Good afternoon and thank you for the opportunity to speak on behalf of the Brooklyn Public Library.
4:07:47
My name is Melissa Peralta.
4:07:48
I'm a child librarian.
4:07:50
I've only been at Washington Irving branch for four months, but in the short time, I've met so many families, students, newcomers who rely on us in a deeply personal way.
4:08:01
Access to free resources, educational support, and welcoming space can make profound difference in people's lives, and I see it every single day.
4:08:10
Our branch offers a range of well attended programs such as the tech workshops for teens, English class for adults, and regular story times for families.
4:08:21
Our patrons include students from nearby schools, immigrant families, and long time residences, each with their own unique needs.
4:08:30
As a child librarian, I had the privilege of connecting with many of them.
4:08:34
One mom recently told me she brings her children every weekend, not just for books but in her words, it's just the one place where they all feel like they belong.
4:08:44
Unfortunately, we're not able to meet the growing demand for these programs.
4:08:49
We've had to turn down opportunities to host additional story times and school visits not because there's no interest in them but because we don't have enough staffing to support them.
4:09:00
To continue serving effectively, we need to increase fundings for more staff and more programs.
4:09:07
Programs that respond directly to what our patrons are asking for.
4:09:10
With additional support, we can create opportunities to empower children, support immigrant families, and strengthen neighborhood as a whole.
4:09:20
Thank you for the time, your consideration, and your commitment to supporting your local libraries.
4:09:25
When you invest in libraries, you're investing in the children, families, and neighbors who count on us every day.