Libraries are up against the wall again facing the largest budget cuts in the history of New York City. 106 million dollars in cuts. That’s a 35% cut over last year’s funding levels.These cuts, should they go through, will fundamentally change the face of libraries in the five boroughs. More than sixty libraries will closed and shuttered. There will be massive layoffs resulting in disastrous cuts to hours and services. What would a city without libraries look like? There would be one less place for seniors, teens, or kids to safely hang out in the urban landscape. In the case of seniors that means more shut ins, kids would be that much less safe after school and teens would have that much more incentive to seek out trouble with nothing to do. Some of the main providers of ESOL would be put out of commission so fewer people would be able to learn English and improve their lot and that of their families and communities. There would be fewer tools for entrepreneurs so fewer startup business would germinate in the city. The main source of free computer training would be wiped out at a stroke as would free job seeking and job readiness training.

Books and storytime and DVDs and music and free concerts and all that stuff, well that is all going to go away too of course. If you use the library as a place to borrow free stuff and learn things on your own that is going to be an awful lot more difficult. There will be less materials and it will be a lot harder to get them.

Every year we see these kinds of devastating budget cuts and every year we fight like hell and get almost everything back. There is always some smallish final cut of a few million dollars here and a few million dollars there. This results in a few less jobs, a few less resources, a few less hours and yet the NEED for the library in the city grows daily.

It is this genuine need that forces us to always consider these political maneuverings as genuine threats. We must then always respond to these threats aggressively even when it is clear to everyone from the Mayor down that libraries are essential to New York City. Libraries are intrinsically woven into our community fabric and it is essential that our community rise to stand for them in times when they are under assault.

Will YOU stand with your library? Will you bend your shoulder to the wheel to help keep those doors open and the reference desk manned? We need your help, can we rely on you to support libraries in New York City? Fill out the form here and get involved today!

There is a brand new force in library advocacy and those of who fight in the budget trenches are ecstatic that it is here. The EveryLibrary PAC combines grassroots guts with steely-eyed professional political chops. It is a new tool on the library advocacy workbench and we fully expect it to the impact of a sledgehammer.

Why is the PAC important? Library advocacy can be a very tricky thing sometimes. Many libraries have very specific limitations as to what kinds of actions they take as they advocate for budgets and referendums. Organizations like Urban Librarians Unite work outside some of those parameters but we have fetters as well. Nonprofits likeULU,ALA, state library associations, and local libraries have VERY strict limitations as to the amount of money they can spend on lobbying and politics. Even grassroots efforts fall under this umbrella and stepping across those lines can result in penalties from the IRS and loss of nonprofit status.

Political Action Committees like the EveryLibrary PAC can step in and step up in the political arena in ways nobody else on the pro-library scene can. They can give money, real money, to support local budget initiatives. Though it is painful to say it, money is power and the judicious application of that power makes a huge difference in politics. As an organization that has operated on a shoestring for years we are very aware of what even a little money can accomplish. The EveryLibrary PAC is that lever for the rest of us. It is our shiny new titanium crowbar which will give our profession a political edge for years to come.

It is really hard to do this advocacy stuff and with no money in your pocket it can be brutal. What if there was a group that could get some lawn signs made up for the budget vote in your town? What if they could get some newspaper ads going or a radio spot? What if that same group could also help you navigate the political labyrinth of putting initiatives on the ballot and provide high level advice and consulting services? With the EveryLibrary PAC in our corner library advocates are going to be able to push back and push back hard.

For more information or to make a DONATION go to:

http://everylibrary.org/

EveryLibrary will be a boon to all of us. Jump in as a backer when the dough is rising and you will always be able to say that you were there at the start.

The New York City Council and Mayor Bloomberg have worked out a deal that restores 90 million of the proposed 96.4 million dollar cut, ensuring 5 day service throughout the city.

Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make this happen, it wouldn’t have been possible wothout all the volunteers who stayed up all night, dragged book seeds all over the city, and signed petitions or called 311.

Thank you.

Got 5 minutes?

Why not spend them calling 311?

June 19th and 20th are Call In Action Days

Call 311, get everyone you know to call 311!

If we all got just 10 people to call that would be thousands of calls!I’m not sure shouting at Bloomberg on the steps was enough. Let’s make sure he really hears us. Every single one of us.

RSVP @ the Facebook event page

Sample Script

“I’d like to make a budget comment for the mayor, I believe closing any libraries in NYC is unacceptable and I’m calling to request the complete restoration of library funding”

Calling 311
In any borough of New York City, call 311.
Outside New York City, call (212) NEW-YORK / (212) 639-9675.
The TTY Number is (212) 504-4115.

Make your calls today and tomorrow!

No Cuts, No Closures, No Layoffs!