PEP, May 2015: A Library Reniassance: Hope for Improvements

Public Employee Press

A Library Renaissance?
Hope for Improvements

"My children go to the library every day after school to do their homework with classmates. Whenever it rains a lot, the library gets flooded, especially in the children's section. When this happens, arriving families are turned away and this always makes them frustrated and sad. It would be so nice to have funds to make the necessary upgrades for flood prevention."

— Clare, a parent in the Bronx

"We have a tiny branch in terms of the physical space but a huge branch in terms of positive impact! Not only does our branch try harder, it does so much with the little it has. More money would open up so many other wonderful possibilities! I know our staff to be hard working and imaginative. More money would enable them to make more of their dreams a reality!"

— Mary, a job seeker in Manhattan

"Spanish Harlem doesn't have the fanciest library branch but they certainly have a lot of visitors stopping by and I know these funds could improve the branch. This is a neighborhood with a high density population, we have blocks and blocks of high-rise public housing. This would be a great place to invest money because it would reach a large number of low-income and working class people and uplift those who need it most."

— Yomara, a resident of Manhattan

"This library is heavily used and heavily loved by every member of this vibrant neighborhood, yet it clearly does not have the resources it needs and deserves. In the summer its air conditioning system roars ineffectually, and in all seasons it is just too under-furnished for all the people who love to spend time there. Its book selection is strong and thoughtfully assembled, but nowhere near the size and scope its patrons would like and would use. "

— Susan, a parent in Park Slope, Brooklyn

"While this library does what it can, it is very overused, and very under serviced. Many people in the community use this library, and they need new services, more books, and to get a bit more up to date. Many people rely on that library for vital resources, so additional help is absolutely needed.

— A resident of Harlem, Manhattan

"This library is an important resource. The past couple of years the hours that the library is open has been decreasing, and I believe that this is a detriment to our community. Students, seniors, and the general populace should be able to count on the library to be open seven days a week, and this is just not possible with the current state of library funding."

— An artist in Sunnyside, Queens

The library testimonies were compiled and edited by the Charles H. Revson foundation.