In exciting news for our three public library systems, New York City’s FY16 budget includes an additional $39M in funding
for library services. This significant increase will keep branch
library doors open 6 days a week throughout the boroughs and will bring
500 new jobs. The de Blasio administration has also committed to a
ten-year $300 million capital improvement budget for our libraries, a
sorely needed commitment given the steady deterioration of our libraries’ infrastructure.
The city’s FY16 budget was announced late on Monday evening by Mayor
Bill de Blasio and City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. The
budget also includes a major increase in funding for the NYPD, the parks department, and the city’s public schools.
This historic increase in funding comes after a multi-faceted
advocacy campaign set forth by New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public
Library, and Queens Library. The three systems teamed up on investinlibraries.org, which includes a white paper detailing their infrastructure issues. The libraries also promoted the hashtag #investinlibraries,
held rallies around the city, created a letter-writing campaign, and
gathered testimonials by the likes of Judy Blume, Junot Diaz, and Tom
Wolfe.
Meanwhile, Urban Librarians Unite staged a 24-hour read-in on June 11 at City Hall. In his interview with Library Journal,
city council majority leader Jimmy Van Bramer called the read-in “a
steady drumbeat” that “made a compelling case that, in a city that sees
growing income disparities and has too many people falling into poverty,
unemployed, struggling, that public libraries are the first line of
defense in the war against inequality and library workers are really at
the front line.”
Read on metro.org
Showing posts with label Urban Librarians Unite. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Urban Librarians Unite. Show all posts
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Why Libraries Are Effective Instruments for Social Change | Urban Librarians Unite
We have been advocating for libraries for years and it always comes up in conversation that libraries are “book warehouses” or that we are outdated in the time of Google and ebooks. This could not be further from the truth. Here at Urban Librarians Unite we apply a lot of Library Science to the work we do. These are how we see libraries DIRECTLY addressing some of the most pressing issues in New York City every single day.
Services to Older Adults
New York City’s libraries offer many special programs and events tailored to the 50+ audience. These include lectures, films, performances and educational programs that reflect the wide interests of today’s older adults. Library outreach staff regularly visit nursing homes, senior centers, and adult care centers to run programs and loan books and other library materials.
New York City’s libraries offer many special programs and events tailored to the 50+ audience. These include lectures, films, performances and educational programs that reflect the wide interests of today’s older adults. Library outreach staff regularly visit nursing homes, senior centers, and adult care centers to run programs and loan books and other library materials.
ESOL/Citizens/New Americans
New York’s branch libraries provide a wide array of services for immigrants and are perhaps the most trusted government institution by foreign-born New Yorkers. Libraries offer English training for those who are not native speakers, preparation for the U.S. citizenship test and computer literacy classes. The libraries partner with immigrant and community groups to put on a wide variety of events and classes, from financial literacy seminars to courses on parenting, health and immigrant and tenant rights. In Queens, the library’s New Americans Program (NAP) organizes nearly 80 cultural programs each year. These programs include festivals, dance shows, music events, performances and much more. We have been advocating for libraries for years and it always comes up in conversation that libraries are “book warehouses” or that we are outdated in the time of Google and ebooks. This could not be further from the truth. Here at Urban Librarians Unite we apply a lot of Library Science to the work we do. These are how we see libraries DIRECTLY addressing some of the most pressing issues in New York City every single day.
Services to Older Adults
New York City’s libraries offer many special programs and events tailored to the 50+ audience. These include lectures, films, performances and educational programs that reflect the wide interests of today’s older adults. Library outreach staff regularly visit nursing homes, senior centers, and adult care centers to run programs and loan books and other library materials.
New York City’s libraries offer many special programs and events tailored to the 50+ audience. These include lectures, films, performances and educational programs that reflect the wide interests of today’s older adults. Library outreach staff regularly visit nursing homes, senior centers, and adult care centers to run programs and loan books and other library materials.
ESOL/Citizens/New Americans
New York’s branch libraries provide a wide array of services for immigrants and are perhaps the most trusted government institution by foreign-born New Yorkers. Libraries offer English training for those who are not native speakers, preparation for the U.S. citizenship test and computer literacy classes. The libraries partner with immigrant and community groups to put on a wide variety of events and classes, from financial literacy seminars to courses on parenting, health and immigrant and tenant rights. In Queens, the library’s New Americans Program (NAP) organizes nearly 80 cultural programs each year. These programs include festivals, dance shows, music events, performances and much more. Read more...
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Urban Librarian Brigade Bringing Books To The Sidewalks: Gothamist
Urban Librarian Brigade Bringing Books To The Sidewalks: Gothamist: Urban Librarian Brigade Bringing Books To The Sidewalks
ubnlibrary.jpeg
Two literary-minded Brooklynites have teamed up to bring the printed page to the street. Lauren Comito and Christian Zabriskie have started a movement called Urban Librarians Unite, a library advocacy
organization that will train and dispatch a Volunteer Library Brigade across the city. Before hitting their beats, each volunteer will receive training in reference services, public service, and storytime... but not dancing:
Two literary-minded Brooklynites have teamed up to bring the printed page to the street. Lauren Comito and Christian Zabriskie have started a movement called Urban Librarians Unite, a library advocacy
organization that will train and dispatch a Volunteer Library Brigade across the city. Before hitting their beats, each volunteer will receive training in reference services, public service, and storytime... but not dancing:
Monday, November 26, 2012
Monday, August 27, 2012
Book Scholarship for NYC Library School Students | Urban Librarians Unite
Book Scholarship for NYC Library School Students | Urban Librarians Unite
Write the best essay and you get $200 for books and supplies for your MLS/MSLIS degree!
What is the role of the librarian in the city?
Urban Librarians Unite is sponsoring an essay contest to award a book scholarship to one student pursuing a library/information sciences degree in New York City. The contest is simple, write an essay on the topic above: What is the role of the librarian in the city? Read more
Book Scholarship for NYC Library School Students
What is the role of the librarian in the city?
Urban Librarians Unite is sponsoring an essay contest to award a book scholarship to one student pursuing a library/information sciences degree in New York City. The contest is simple, write an essay on the topic above: What is the role of the librarian in the city? Read more
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Grassroots Advocacy: Putting Yourself Out There | American Libraries Magazine
Grassroots Advocacy: Putting Yourself Out There | American Libraries Magazine
By Lauren Comito, Aliqae Geraci, and Christian Zabriskie
By Lauren Comito, Aliqae Geraci, and Christian Zabriskie
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Reading As Rebellion | Save NYC Libraries
Reading As Rebellion | Save NYC Libraries
Come out and read out for public libraries in New York City. Once again the three library systems are facing historic cuts and once again library supporters are pushing back. The third 24 Hour Read In will take place on June 9-10 from 4PM to 4PM and once again we will be on the steps of the Brooklyn Public Library in Grand Army Plaza. It will be another days worth of literary library activism.
This is going to be our biggest year ever. The base of the protest remains the same, over a hundred voices read around the clock. A full 24 hour day is broken into 15 minute intervals and volunteers read pretty much whatever they like for their quarter of an hour. The rules are simple, no speeches only reading. Family storytime is from 8AM to noon on Sunday so select your materials accordingly. The dark hours from 2AM-4AM are for the steamy stuff and heckling is to be expected. Read more.
Come out and read out for public libraries in New York City. Once again the three library systems are facing historic cuts and once again library supporters are pushing back. The third 24 Hour Read In will take place on June 9-10 from 4PM to 4PM and once again we will be on the steps of the Brooklyn Public Library in Grand Army Plaza. It will be another days worth of literary library activism.
This is going to be our biggest year ever. The base of the protest remains the same, over a hundred voices read around the clock. A full 24 hour day is broken into 15 minute intervals and volunteers read pretty much whatever they like for their quarter of an hour. The rules are simple, no speeches only reading. Family storytime is from 8AM to noon on Sunday so select your materials accordingly. The dark hours from 2AM-4AM are for the steamy stuff and heckling is to be expected. Read more.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Save the Buttenwieser Library of the 92Y
It seems like only yesterday that the NY Librarians Meetup met on a cold Sunday to tour the Buttenwieser Library. Unfortunately, without a soul knowing it, the board of directors have scheduled the library as it is currently known to close this Friday, July 31st. Please do everything you can to make your feelings known about this venerable outreach facility. As you recall, the collection is open to the public, available evenings and weekends, and is free-of-charge.
There is a petition going. Please sign it: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/92ylibrary?e.
Shelved at NYC has been following the story: http://shelvedatnyc.blogspot.com/.
Listen to an interview with protestors at last night's protest: http://www.last.fm/music/NYLibrariansMeetup/Library+Advocacy+NYLM+2009
Read a description of our Spring Meetup at the Buttenwieser Library: http://www.meetup.com/NYLibrarians/calendar/9376868/?from=list&offset=0
Lastly, come this evening to The Creek and join Urban Librarians Unite (see Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=106282167970).
Stephanie Gross,
Organizer NYLM
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