Roosevelt Island Public Library Needs Your Help To Prevent Severe Budget Cuts - Lend Your Voice To City Council Hearing Thursday Afternoon

Roosevelt Island Library Branch Image From NYPL

Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council Member Isabel Perez sends the following message to all Roosevelt Island residents, particularly those who use the Library, regarding severe budget cuts to the Library.

Dear all,

The New York Public Library is facing stiff cuts for its budged this year. I have been contacted by the Island' s librarian to attend a hearing in search of public support of the Institution TOMORROW THURSDAY (see bellow). I can not attend the hearing, though, and I wonder if anybody could go. Keep in mind that we do not have many cultural options in our Island so is important for all sectors of our community (children, adults, seniors) to have this free service running at capacity. Thanks so much for your consideration!

The request for assistance from the NY Public Library is below:

Mrs. Perez: Petra Kolokotronis told me that you might be able to help us out by testifying at next Thursday's City Council hearing downtown at City Hall. If you were able to do that, it would be great. The hearing is before the City Council's committe on Cultural Affairs and Libraries and is a crucial step in the process of making sure our message about the importance of libraries is delivered to the City Council. As Petra has told you, the Library is facing an overwhelming reduction in our budget for the next fiscal year. We appreciate everyone's support and help on this. The hearing will be at 3:30 in the City Council chamber at City Hall. I will be there and can meet you there at 3:15 and show you where it is and how to sign in. Each person's statement can be short. Let me know if you think you're able to do this or if you have additional questions. The Library is closed the next three days for the Memorial Day weekend, but I will be in the office on Tuesday May 26 so we can touch base then and discuss this further if you'd like. Again thank you for considering this and for your ongoing support of libraries.

Bob Bellinger


Robert J. Bellinger
Associate Director for Government and Community Affairs
The New York Public Library
Office of Government and Community Affairs

It is very difficult, nearly impossible, for most people to attend such an afternoon hearing but if at all possible please try to lend your support to the NY Public Library, particularly the Roosevelt Island Branch.

More information on what else you can do here, here and here.