Public Employee Press

When Sandy hit
Libraries became havens

Hurricane Sandy knocked out or severely damaged 10 branch libraries in the communities it hit hardest.

But despite the devastation of their workplaces and even their own homes, library workers became local heroes as they helped neighborhoods recover.

The leaders of DC 37 locals that represent library workers and the top managers of the city's three library systems addressed City Council members at a Feb. 28 hearing, explaining how local libraries became havens for residents coping with homelessness, the loss of lighting, heat and hot water, and extensive damage to their homes.

"Despite personal loss and hardship, our staff responded immediately to the crisis and worked diligently to restore services as rapidly as possible. Their dedication was extraordinary," said Linda Johnson, president of the Brooklyn Public Library system, which suffered $6 million in damages at six branches.

Sandy caused almost $8 million in damage to buildings and the loss of books, DVDs, and other materials at four libraries in the Rockaways. Damage was insignificant in the NYPL system, which serves Manhattan, Staten Island and the Bronx.

"In all three systems, New York's public library workers played an indispensable role in providing services and support to the hardest hit communities," said Eileen Muller, president of Brooklyn Library Guild Local 1482. In coastal areas, such as Coney Island, Red Hook and Sheepshead Bay, the staff distributed canned food, toiletries and diapers, Muller said. They helped jobless people get unemployment benefits and told uprooted residents where they could go for showers.

"The storm was devastating to many New Yorkers, but city workers, including our members, swept in to assist the communities," said John Hyslop, president of Queens Library Guild Local 1321. The workers helped residents with information about power restoration, federal aid and public transportation, and they provided charging stations for mobile phones and laptops and access to the Internet, Hyslop said. The Queens and Brooklyn systems dispatched mobile libraries to neighborhoods where branches were closed.

Library administrators and union leaders also warned the City Council of another storm looming over the libraries: Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's proposed budget, which would cut funding far below the current level.

—Gregory N. Heires