NYPL #InvestInLibraries

A research project on the community at the Seward Park Library on the Lower East Side. I attended two of their Adult public programming events—a book discussion on Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond and an Intro to Dungeons and Dragons workshop hosted by @nycdicegoblins—to learn what it’s like to be part of this library’s community.

These people are nothing short of wonderful. EVERYONE deserves access to libraries and the free resources they provide.

Just last March, the New York City Council proposed $58.6M in budget cuts for NYPLs in 2025, which would significantly reduce services, delay reopenings of renovated branches (many in historically marginalized communities), and especially reduce the amount of public programming events like those I attended.

If you live in NYC, please consider sending a letter to Mayor Eric Adams and others at the New York City Council to demand libraries stay open. The NYPL website www.nypl.org/speakout will walk you through that process.

PROJECT UPDATE: New York Public Library Funding has been fully restored for the FY25 budget (as of July 2024)!