Help Save the Roosevelt Island Public Library And Other New York Public Libraries From Budget Cutbacks - Write A Letter, Make A Donation

Don't Close The Book On Libraries Image From NYPL

One of the best resources for Roosevelt Island residents of all ages is our local branch of the New York Public Library. Toddlers, pre-teens, teens, adults, parents, and senior citizens all benefit from the programs, activities and offerings at the Roosevelt Island Public Library.

As we all know, the NY State and City budget crisis may lead to some libraries closing and others having their hours of operation reduced. According to Crains New York:

The heads of the three major library systems in New York City testified in front of the City Council today to try to stave off the biggest city budget cuts in their history.

The proposed cuts in Mayor Bloomberg's executive budget total nearly $75 million for the three systems, with the Queens Library facing a $17 million reduction, the Brooklyn Public Library facing a $20 million cut, and the New York Public Library facing a nearly $38 million decrease, 25% of its city funding...

WNYC reports:

The state budget crisis, of course, won’t spare city services. One that may take a big hit is public libraries. Forty branches could be closed if funds aren’t restored -– under a worst-case scenario. But with so much up in the air and a good deal of politicking, it's hard to tell what to believe this year.

A letter writing campaign is underway for library patrons to express support for their local libraries. A reader asks for more Roosevelt Island library users to show support for our local library by writing letters to their elected official urging them to save the NY Public Library from the harshest cuts in history.

Please post this to your blog, the RI library has one of the lowest turn outs of public support with only 200 letters submitted via this website, well below the 1000s that the Manhattan libraries are turning out.

Please help save the New York Public Library from the harshest cut in its history: $37 million. Follow the links below to take action.

Write your elected officials.

Donate.

Thank you for making a difference!

You Tube Video of Don't Close The Book On Stories

UPDATE 12:30 PM - WNYC reports:

At a late-night press avail, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Chrsitine Quinn tried to put the best face on their $63 million budget "handshake" deal. Surrounded by most of the City Council, Bloomberg and Quinn said it would preserve the city's core services, despite some $1 billion in cuts. But there are still a lot of asterisks, and blank spaces that need numbers.

Quinn said New Yorkers would feel the cuts. Library service will be cut from six to five days and some daycare and senior centers still face closure...

The NYPL letter writing and donation links are no longer working.