As students here at Fordham Lincoln Center, many of us can acknowledge the importance of Quinn Library and the need for a shared space to study, relax and collaborate. We recognize the value of this space as it can offer not only education, but also refuge. However, as important as Quinn Library is to our community, it is even more essential to extend this same appreciation to public libraries.
There are 92 New York Public Library (NYPL) branches throughout the Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island, all of which work toward sustaining our communities through various forms of support. However, libraries’ capacity to provide this support was threatened last November when Mayor Eric Adams announced a $58.3 million budget cut that would prompt the reduction of library hours, the elimination of Sunday service and the restriction of several social programs. Thankfully, these funds have since been fully restored because of the efforts of local organizations and community members alike. In the four months following the release of said budget cuts, NYPL patronage drastically increased.
According to the NYPL President Tony Marx, “library operation costs are increasing across the board for wages, health insurance, library materials, maintaining collections and technology.”
According to a report on service throughout the city, visitorship rose from 2.4 million to 2.6 million, and library card registration increased by nearly 53,000 compared to the previous four-month period. These significant boosts exhibit the heightened demand for library services and highlight the growing importance of participation in local libraries. Unfortunately, the pressure of local organizations alone is not nearly enough to keep libraries afloat, and every single library visit was instrumental in resolving this issue. Each individual act of participation adds up, reminding our local government of the essential functions of these public centers.
Although funding was eventually restored to its original numbers, budget cuts may still occur. According to a June 2024 article by CNN, a flat budget in an inflated economy will be greatly detrimental to the NYPL.
According to the NYPL President Tony Marx, “library operation costs are increasing across the board for wages, health insurance, library materials, maintaining collections and technology.”
Public libraries also provide a sanctuary for those who are unhoused, offering entertainment, public restrooms, refuge from the weather, and, in some cases, social workers who can connect them to community aid.
Therefore, it is vital, now more than ever, to contribute to your local library by borrowing books, registering for a library card and engaging in programs and services. While public libraries may be a second choice for some, they are essential to others. By supporting them, you keep them relevant and funded, one book at a time.
An essential service that libraries provide is free internet access. Post-pandemic, researchers at Arizona State University’s Center on Reinventing Public Education, found that the digital class divide had become increasingly visible. As schools and workplaces continue to digitize, access to technology is becoming increasingly necessary. Libraries are one of the few places where those without access to computers, printers and high-speed internet can use these resources. Libraries also provide youth services, such as homework assistance, tutoring, resume workshops and even college and job preparation seminars, all of which contribute to a child’s success within and beyond the classroom.
Public libraries also provide a sanctuary for those who are unhoused, offering entertainment, public restrooms, refuge from the weather, and, in some cases, social workers who can connect them to community aid.
Available via the NYPL website and library advertisements, the NYPL libraries also offer numerous resources for immigrants and refugees, a service that is becoming increasingly important as asylum seekers move to the city. These services include multilingual resources, free English classes, ActionNYC legal help and preparation for citizenship interviews and exams. On top of this, libraries also support those formerly and currently incarcerated. The many branches even go as far as to provide free assistance in filing your tax returns.
Variety and versatility are what make libraries integral to our communities; to be able to find so many services in one physical space is extremely rare. Libraries are also now completely free. With the elimination of late fees, it is now even easier to support libraries, and with 219 branches throughout the five boroughs, you’re never too far from one.
Despite all these benefits, how many people our age are really using the library? According to the American Library Association, in 2022, 54% of Gen Z and Millenials visited a library at least once throughout the course of the year. Although this is slightly higher than the majority, it could be vastly improved upon.
While I often go to the library in search of new reading material, I’ve also found that they make for a great day trip, and branches like the Jefferson Market Library and the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building are undoubtedly worth a visit. The NYPL also offers culture passes, a perk that provides free admission for over 100 cultural institutions, like the American Museum of Natural History, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the Museum of Modern Art and more.
By engaging with your local library, you are actively supporting an organization that provides education, respite, and community to millions throughout the city. Not only do you gain from participating, but you also ensure that libraries can continue their essential work.