By NADYA SERRANO, Age 10 and IndyKids Staff
Did you know that for the first half of 2024, many New York public libraries were operating only six days a week, and some only five days a week? As of November 2023, many branches of New York City’s public libraries closed their doors on Sundays due to budget cuts. Libraries that were undergoing renovations and were supposed to reopen could not do so. Mayor Adams blamed his decision to cut libraries’ budgets on the migrant crisis. Due to the right-to-shelter mandate, New York City has to cover the cost of safe shelter, food and water for migrants. As more and more migrants come to the United States, the cost to support them becomes more expensive. However, advocates claim that migrants are not the sole cause of these budget cuts. They argue that Mayor Adams also made deals with businesses in the past that he shouldn’t have.
These budget cuts affected New Yorkers in many ways. For example, libraries provide a place for students to study and work. Fordham business school student Isabella Lucido told the Fordham Observer that the library closures were “devastating” because she mostly goes to the library on weekends. Libraries also provide spaces for citizenship classes and many after-school programs. If the library programs are no longer open, then the free after-school programs may have to shut down, as well, and many parents may need to pay for aftercare.
Library presidents claim that the library is a respectful place that allows people to read for free. Libraries are crucial to everyone, providing a safe place and a home for many New Yorkers. And thanks to people making their voices heard about this issue, the mayor reversed the budget cuts as part of the latest city budget proposal, and this summer, citizens of the Big Apple will be able to start taking advantage of their libraries seven days a week once again.
