Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani: Good morning, everyone. It is an honor to be in Flatbush alongside librarians, advocates and families who support New York City's Public Library system. And I want to acknowledge, alongside me, we have Linda Johnson, the BPL president; we have Iris Weinshall, the New York Public Library COO; [and] we have the head of the People's Plan, Zara Nasir. And we have, to my right, partners in government: our City Council Member Nantasha Williams, who is here with us; Crystal Hudson, our Council member; and then our Council Member Shahana Hanif.
It is a pleasure to be here alongside partners, whether it be the deputy speaker [or] whether it'd be the heads of public library systems, because we are all here with an understanding of the value of these kinds of institutions. No matter how much money you make, what language you speak or where you live in the five boroughs, New York City's 220 library branches are for you. Thanks to the New York Public Library, we have the work of Jamaica Kincaid, Maya Angelou and authors whose names we don't yet know. But who are scribbling in notebooks and typing on laptops at many branches right now.
Brooklyn author Jacqueline Woodson said, "From the time I could sign my name, we had library carts. I'm sure there were independent bookstores somewhere, but they weren't in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn in the 70s and 80s." So, the library became her second home. Every day after school, while she waited for her mother to get off work, she lost herself in books, from Hans Christian Andersen to Langston Hughes. She reveled in the portal to other worlds that books opened up. It was in a public library where she first thought: "I can do this." Unfortunately for me, the Bryant Park Public Library branch where I went to write my first ill-conceived screenplay is where I came to the conclusion: "Actually, I can't do this."
Career pivot aside, my love for libraries has never changed. As mayor, I have often looked to libraries for proof of what's possible. Those who doubt [the] government's ability to deliver services like city-run grocery stores and universal childcare need look no further than our public libraries - 220 monuments to public excellence scattered across our city. And yet over recent decades, City government has paid lip service to the importance of public libraries and then refused to guarantee the funding they deserve. For too long, our libraries, along with our parks, cultural institutions, CUNY systems and transit programs have had to engage in what is known as a "budget dance." It's a dysfunctional process that every year forces these kinds of libraries to fight for every single dollar in their share of the budget. This process keeps our libraries on the perpetual back foot, desperately trying to keep the same floor year after year instead of being able to advocate for more.
It is time we stop asking our libraries to justify their existence. It is for us to expand what New Yorkers can expect from core government services. Earlier this week, we released our executive budget. In doing so, we spoke of how a budget is a reflection of the vision we have for this city, of what we choose to materially support, [and of] what we chose to let wither. And our executive budget reflects a clear set of choices. City Hall believes in our public library system. We are funding our public library system. And instead of fighting to maintain the same floor year after year, we will see how high we can raise that ceiling.
Our executive budget baselines $31.7 million in new permanent funding across all three of New York City's Public Library systems. Instead of pouring their energy into funding fights, libraries can now use this time and funding to actually hire staff, expand hours and grow programming. They can start to plan on more than simply an annual basis - but beyond that they can use it to stock in-demand titles like Fourth Wing, Zodiac Academy or the new Ben Lerner, if you're more of that type of guy, because our libraries and the New Yorkers they serve deserve better than politics as usual. And I want to acknowledge the partners that I have alongside me, who have been a critical part of us getting to this point, who have been advocating for this kind of funding, and who, alongside [us], we make this commitment.
Because no longer will we abide a budgeting process that degrades and demeans the institutions that make New York City what it is. When we speak of the work of building a more affordable, more dignified New York City, we often focus on the basics like the cost of rent [and] the cost for groceries, yet our libraries nourish us in ways that are hard to quantify yet no less essential. Let us no longer expend valuable energy debating whether a resume-building class or the weekend hours parents rely on to get through rainy days are worthy of our support.
There is nothing like the shared solitude found in our New York Public libraries. Let us continue to support these spaces that bring us together, that build a city we can all enjoy, and that foster our solidarity as New Yorkers. Thank you all very much, and now I'll pass it over to our BPL president, Linda Johnson.
Linda E. Johnson, President, Brooklyn Public Library: Mr. Mayor, did you hear a collective sigh of relief the other day when the budget was announced? Library workers all over the city and here in Brooklyn definitely felt relieved. Good morning, everyone. I'm Linda Johnson. I'm president and CEO of Brooklyn Public Library and I'm delighted to welcome everyone here to Cortelyou Library in Flatbush, Brooklyn. Today, we offer our sincere thanks to the mayor for restoring $31.7 million in operating funds to the city's three library systems in his Fiscal Year 2027 executive budget. And just as praiseworthy for baselining those dollars, [the] Brooklyn Public Library relies on city support, and it has been far too long since we've had this level of stability. Knowing our operating funding will be there next year is a really big deal.
Thank you, deputy speaker and library chair, Dr. Williams, for your advocacy and Council Members Hanif and Hudson and the office of Council Member Rita Joseph for your longstanding support of our Brooklyn branches and for joining us here. While our collective work is not yet done, today we breathe a sigh of relief. This step in the executive budget, makes it very clear that public libraries are central to the city's affordability agenda. So, to the mayor and to all of the city leaders, one more thank you on behalf of our dedicated library workers and the millions of people who rely on us every day for prioritizing libraries like this beloved one that we're standing in today. Thank you all.
Mayor Mamdani: And now it is my pleasure to introduce our deputy speaker of the City Council, as well as the library's chair, Nantasha Williams
Deputy Speaker Nantasha Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and good morning, everyone. I really want to thank everyone who has worked to push this conversation forward. Of course, to the library leaders: Linda [from the] Brooklyn Public Library, who's hosting us today; New York Public Library [President] Tony; and of course, Dennis, who is also my constituent and the leader of the Queens Public Library. Just so you know, Queens has a big professional development day today, but we are represented. We're really excited to be here.
Libraries hold a unique place in this city because they are one [of the] very few public institutions that people interact with across every stage of life. A child learning to read, a student doing homework for school, a senior navigating technology, a parent applying for benefits or searching for work, a new immigrant learning English. All of these experiences exist inside our library systems every single day.
Over the last several months, we have heard clearly from library leaders, workers, advocates and patrons about the strain these systems have been under and what is at risk when funding does not keep pace with the level of need and usage they are carrying. Those conversations reinforce something many communities already understood. Libraries are functioning as educational, cultural and social infrastructure for this city. Often absorbing responsibilities far beyond what people traditionally associate with them.
That understanding is exactly why the Council was proud to include more than $30 million for libraries in our April 1 budget response. And we are super thrilled that the mayor has agreed with us. And this is something that he talked a lot about. And so, this is something that you've delivered for New York City. And you, again, believe that this is an important investment. This decision to baseline the funding and, as the mayor mentioned; moving forward is especially critical because it creates a level of long-term stability that allows libraries to plan, hire, expand services and operate with greater certainty instead of returning year after year to fight for that continuation, effectively ending the "budget dance."
I want to thank, once again, everyone who worked so hard. I think the Council year after year has been like the library's critical champion. It is very frustrating. Once again, as the mayor said, to continue to fight for the same amount of money and not think to increase the amount of funding, but if you're still scrapping to just get to what you feel like you deserve, it's hard to talk about more. This makes clear that these institutions are essential to the life of this city.
Strong library systems expand opportunity and provide stability for families across the city. And sustaining that work requires long-term investments, and this commitment helps move us closer to ensuring these institutions can continue serving all New Yorkers at the level they deserve for years to come. And I always just like to share a personal story about the library system. I did not have a computer for many years of my life, and so when I needed to apply to college, I went to the library. I was a latchkey kid [and a] single mom. And so, I spent many time, much time in many of the libraries in Queens. And so, I know firsthand how important the library system is. And once again, we're just very very thankful to the mayor for not only making this investment but ensuring that this investment is permanent. So, thank you so much.
Mayor Mamdani: Now we will hear from Council Member Crystal Hudson.
Council Member Crystal Hudson: Year after year, as you've heard, my colleagues in the City Council and I have fought tirelessly to ensure our city's most democratic institutions, our libraries, have the resources required to serve the diverse needs of New Yorkers. Libraries are third spaces. They're where anyone can take a class, rent an instrument, get career coaching, learn to speak another language, or of course, borrow a book, all at no cost. The mayor's decision to baseline $31.7 million in funding and maintain library services will ensure more than 200 library branches across the city have the operating support needed, including funding for more than 30 branches to keep their doors open on Sundays.
I applaud Mayor Mamdani for finally ending the "budget dance" around library funding and thanks Speaker Menin, Deputy Speaker Williams, Council Member Hanif and the entire Council for their staunch advocacy for libraries. If there's one thing we can all agree on, it's adequate funding for our libraries. And I would certainly be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the intrepid, innovative and impactful work of Linda Johnson, [the] president and CEO of the Brooklyn Public Library System; as well as her partners across the city, New York Public Library's COO, Iris Weinshall; and CEO, Tony Marx; and Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis Walcott; and a special shout out to Antonia Bramble, who's a branch manager here at the Cortelyou Library for hosting us here today. And also I want to give a shout out to Council Member Rita Joseph, who couldn't be here, but we're in her district and she has a proud support of libraries as a forever educator. Thank you.
