PEP, April 2008: A voice for the libraries

Legislators restored $5 million to the state budget as DC 37 activists went to Albany and spoke out about the needs of the city’s three public library systems.

By GREGORY N. HEIRES

About 30 DC 37 activists were among more than 1,000 library supporters statewide who rallied in Albany March 11 to demand that legislators restore cut funds in next year’s state budget.

On the morning of their arrival for the annual New York Library Association Lobby Day, legislators greeted the contingent with the welcome news that later that day they would vote to put $5 million back in the budget for libraries.

“You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to conclude that there was a coincidence between the annual lobby day and the budget restoration,” said DC 37 Political Director Wanda Williams.

“We appreciate the legislators’ action to address the needs of the library community and trust that Governor David Paterson will do the right thing and approve the restoration,” she said.

Michael Borges, executive director of NYLA, said the turnout — 1,008 — was the highest ever for the annual event, which includes administrators, community supporters and front-line employees. DC 37’s group included members of the council’s three library locals (New York Public Library Guild Local 1930, Brooklyn Library Guild 1482 and Queens Library Guild 1321) as well as other locals and retirees.

Eighty-eight legislators greeted the library supporters at a breakfast in the Legislative Office Building, where they announced the restoration of funds. Later, DC 37 activists visited lawmakers in their offices to reinforce the union’s demand for sufficient funding. Marilyn Charles and Leo Morris III of the Political Action Dept. helped coordinate the lobbying.

Participants said they enjoyed sharpening their lobbying skills and gained a deeper appreciation of the need for public employees to be active politically.

“It was a good experience and a chance to speak to politicians and to get money for the libraries,” said Ana Rivera, an Office Associate 1 in Local 1930. “The funding helps keep my job stable. I have one child in college and two younger children.” Local 1930 President Carol Thomas noted that the budget cuts would have shorted the city’s library systems by more than $1 million. “These cuts would certainly have had a negative impact on the libraries and perhaps even staffing,” she said. Louise Stamp, vice president for clericals, and Treasurer Nina Manning were also part of the Local 1930 group.

A forceful union
“We all felt this was a successful day,” said Local 1482 President Eileen Muller, who spoke to state Sen. Martin Golden at the breakfast. Her lobbying team later dropped off an information packet at his office.

“This activity shows that the union is not just sitting there and accepting budget cuts,” said Benita McCray, Local 1482’s vice president for clericals. Local 1482 members William Oley and Robert Renwick also participated in the lobbying.

“It’s important for the union to be out there letting the legislators know how strongly we feel about our libraries,” said retiree Gaye Fruscione, who represented Local 1321 President Margalit Susser on the lobby day.