Queens, New York: “Officials Rally For Library Funding”

From the Queens Tribune:

A large group of people came together on the steps outside of the Flushing Branch of the Queens Library to protest the $29.6 million cut the Mayor has put forward in his budget for the fiscal year that begins on July 1. If passed, it would be the largest cut in the Queens Library’s history. That number is just part of a proposed $106.7 million reduction for library systems throughout New York City.
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Several elected officials were on hand to show their support and vow to fight for the libraries. “Mr. Mayor, we will not let you tear down what we have worked so hard to build. Mr. Mayor, we will not let you devastate programs available to patrons of all ages,” Borough President Helen Marshall said.“Mr. Mayor, do not cut our Queens Library system anymore.”
“The library is the knowledge base for our community. The Mayor always said he wants to empower the citizens,” Councilman Peter Koo (D-Flushing) said, adding that libraries help surrounding businesses get more patrons. “We need the libraries to be open so our community can have the knowledge and the power to do business in the future.”

Read the Complete Article
See Also: More Rally Coverage via Queens Gazette
See Also: Presidents of New York City’s Libraries Testify On Proposed $106.7 Million Budget Cuts (March 9, 2013)

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