EVENTS
SATURDAY, May 3, 1:00-4:00 PM
Canvass with Eric Shtob Steps of Grand Army Plaza Library
Eric will greet you and supply flyersContact Eric (718) 594-7046, eshtob@gmail.com 2 train to Grand Army
SATURDAY, May 3, 9:45 AM all day CSNYPL Is hosting the tenth, "work-in" protest 42nd St Library Rose Reading Room Matthew Zadrozny, featured in Humans of New York facebook page with over half million likes has scheduled the "work-ins" to protest the CLP on Meetup. Please join the group at work, for at least part of the day. RSVP here meetup.com/savenypl
* SUNDAY, May 4, 4:30-6:00 PM
CDL meeting, 101 Clark St, community room
Kristina Andreotta from Citizen Action of New York came to help us brain storm, now we take the great ideas and put them into action. 2,3 to Clark St, 4,5,R to Court St Borough Hall A, C to High St,
contact Carolyn or Michael 718-834-6184,
SATURDAY, May 10, 12:30-4:00
Canvass BHA House Tour Meet outside at 129 Pierrepont at Clinton St
Contact Eric Shtob, (718) 594-7046, eshtob@gmail.com
NEWS
* * Here is the most detailed press description of our new lawsuit to date: Dogfight Over NYC Central Library Plan By IULIA FILIP http://www.courthousenews.com/2014/04/22/67228.htm
** This Noticing New York article has some important numbers in it about what we spend on libraries, including some important numbers that came out and were discussed at last week’s hearing about maintenance of libraries (and sometimes not) by the NYC Department of Design and Construction- Tuesday, April 29, 2014, What’s Wrong With These Numbers?: The Baccarat Tower’s $60M Penthouse and NYC’s Library Budget http://noticingnewyork.blogspot.com/2014/04/whats-wrong-with-these-numbers-baccarat.html ...the Central Library Plan resulted in an 80,000 square foot space replacing the Central Reference Library research stacks. The $350,000,000 starter figure for that amount of space comes out to $4,375 a square foot, about seven times the cost of new construction that can be offered by DDC!
* * This article in the Brooklyn Heights Blog is thoughtful and through. It has some good quotes and takes comments- Key Stakeholders Respond About Proposed Brooklyn Heights Library Development, By Michael Randazzo on April 29, 2014 2:01 pm in Government. http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/66905
* * What Will Become of the Library? We think this article is glib, but this is the kind of simplistic thinking we are often up against.
http://www.slate.com/articles/life/design/2014/04/the_future_of_the_library_how_they_ll_evolve_for_the_digital_age.html
* Article from Bloomberg News NYC Library Plan Pits de Blasio Vow Against Mayoral Reality (1), By Henry Goldman April 24, 2014 http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-04-24/nyc-library-plan-pits-de-blasio-pledge-against-mayoral-realities#p1
*
* The Daily News is calling for open books and scrutiny of the Queens library system saying it is ridiculous that the publicly funded institution is not open to scrutiny, Open the library books, see NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Monday, April 21, 2014 Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/open-library-books-article-1.1761517#ixzz2ziKBgsRV The Queens Library trustees have joined President Tom Galante in stonewalling scrutiny of the system’s financial records. Controller Scott Stringer has sought, so far without success, access to the library’s ledgers.
* As for “opening the books” the lawsuit reported on in the New York Post about bitter internecine warfare engulfing NYPL trustee Marshall Rose's real estate business and family might one day surprise us with some relevance to information about what is happening respecting the libraries- Stay tuned– Bitter family feud pits dad against son-in-law: suit, By Julia Marsh, April 30, 2014 http://nypost.com/2014/04/30/real-war-of-roses-pits-former-city-planning-boss-against-his-dad-in-law/
* Article from Bloomberg News NYC Library Plan Pits de Blasio Vow Against Mayoral Reality (1), By Henry Goldman April 24, 2014 http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-04-24/nyc-library-plan-pits-de-blasio-pledge-against-mayoral-realities#p1
*On Tuesday, the City Council's Committee on Cultural Affairs and Libraries had a hearing on Tracking How the Department of Design & Construction Spends, Monitors and Discloses Capital Funding for Library and Cultural Projects. The Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Design and Construction (DDC), David Resnick, answered questions about the financing and oversight of the New York Public Library's proposed renovations, formerly termed the Central Library Plan. The new Commissioner, Dr. Feniosky Peña-Mora of Columbia University, was present; this being his first day in office, testified on the functions of the DDC.
It became clear that the DDC had not been involved in the NYPL's plans, in fact that there had been little or no oversight of their proposed projects (such as sales of major libraries to support remodelings of the Main Branch), despite the fact that the building at 42nd and Fifth is owned by the City of New York (i.e. by its citizens) and sits on land owned by the City of New York. It was proposed that the expert DDC be in charge (prospectively, not retrospectively) of projects like the proposed desecration of a great public cultural resource such as the NYPL, and that the City Council, which has the power to do so, demand accountability.
City Council Member Helen Rosenthal asked questions on the NYPL Research Library plans and financing, and is receptive to questions from us to pose at future hearings. She can be reached at: Council Member Helen Rosenthal, Marisa Maack mmaack@council.nyc.gov. 212-873-0282 x200 or Hrosenthal@council.nyc.gov
Councilman Stephen Levin asked DDC to do an assessment of how much it would cost to fix the AC at the Brooklyn Heights Library and asked for options in examining the repairs. Questions were raised about conflicts of interest among members of the NYPL Board of Directors, and about the appointment of members of the NYPL Board of Directors, which apparently is a self-perpetuating board.
City Council woman Laurie Cumbo asked four of us who testified questions about the NYPL and BPL boards. It was suggested that the Council, the NYC Comptroller and the Mayor exercise promptly their ability to appoint members to the Board, and Chairman Van Bramer said they were in fact considering the question currently. It was also suggested that a sub-sub-committee of the Sub-Committee on Libraries be instituted to actively oversee and participate in board discussions. Chairman Van Bramer noted that a great deal of risk had been exposed in this hearing, and that it was very alarming that there could be so much spent on libraries with no monitoring.
FOR TODAY'S HEARING, SEE: NYC Council Oversight Hearing on Capital Funding for Library & Cultural Projects. http://legistar.council.nyc.gov/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=304833&GUID=B7A7ED3D-6E24-48C8-B532-89517BF359D7&Options=info|&Search=
What You Can do
Today is the last day to submit testimony Email Tai Meah at tumeah@council.nyc.gov
Send questions for future hearings to Council Member Helen Rosenthal, Marisa Maack mmaack@council.nyc.gov. 212-873-0282 x200 or Hrosenthal@council.nyc.gov
Tweet Bill de Blasio at @deblasionyc Your Library Budget priority: NYPL's CLP $350 million for Branches and repairs, NO more Sell Offs!
Thank you for caring about our libraries and our democracy, Carolyn McIntyre
SATURDAY, May 3, 1:00-4:00 PM
Canvass with Eric Shtob Steps of Grand Army Plaza Library
Eric will greet you and supply flyersContact Eric (718) 594-7046, eshtob@gmail.com 2 train to Grand Army
SATURDAY, May 3, 9:45 AM all day CSNYPL Is hosting the tenth, "work-in" protest 42nd St Library Rose Reading Room Matthew Zadrozny, featured in Humans of New York facebook page with over half million likes has scheduled the "work-ins" to protest the CLP on Meetup. Please join the group at work, for at least part of the day. RSVP here meetup.com/savenypl
* SUNDAY, May 4, 4:30-6:00 PM
CDL meeting, 101 Clark St, community room
Kristina Andreotta from Citizen Action of New York came to help us brain storm, now we take the great ideas and put them into action. 2,3 to Clark St, 4,5,R to Court St Borough Hall A, C to High St,
contact Carolyn or Michael 718-834-6184,
SATURDAY, May 10, 12:30-4:00
Canvass BHA House Tour Meet outside at 129 Pierrepont at Clinton St
Contact Eric Shtob, (718) 594-7046, eshtob@gmail.com
NEWS
* * Here is the most detailed press description of our new lawsuit to date: Dogfight Over NYC Central Library Plan By IULIA FILIP http://www.courthousenews.com/2014/04/22/67228.htm
** This Noticing New York article has some important numbers in it about what we spend on libraries, including some important numbers that came out and were discussed at last week’s hearing about maintenance of libraries (and sometimes not) by the NYC Department of Design and Construction- Tuesday, April 29, 2014, What’s Wrong With These Numbers?: The Baccarat Tower’s $60M Penthouse and NYC’s Library Budget http://noticingnewyork.blogspot.com/2014/04/whats-wrong-with-these-numbers-baccarat.html ...the Central Library Plan resulted in an 80,000 square foot space replacing the Central Reference Library research stacks. The $350,000,000 starter figure for that amount of space comes out to $4,375 a square foot, about seven times the cost of new construction that can be offered by DDC!
* * This article in the Brooklyn Heights Blog is thoughtful and through. It has some good quotes and takes comments- Key Stakeholders Respond About Proposed Brooklyn Heights Library Development, By Michael Randazzo on April 29, 2014 2:01 pm in Government. http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/66905
* * What Will Become of the Library? We think this article is glib, but this is the kind of simplistic thinking we are often up against.
http://www.slate.com/articles/life/design/2014/04/the_future_of_the_library_how_they_ll_evolve_for_the_digital_age.html
* Article from Bloomberg News NYC Library Plan Pits de Blasio Vow Against Mayoral Reality (1), By Henry Goldman April 24, 2014 http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-04-24/nyc-library-plan-pits-de-blasio-pledge-against-mayoral-realities#p1
*
* The Daily News is calling for open books and scrutiny of the Queens library system saying it is ridiculous that the publicly funded institution is not open to scrutiny, Open the library books, see NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Monday, April 21, 2014 Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/open-library-books-article-1.1761517#ixzz2ziKBgsRV The Queens Library trustees have joined President Tom Galante in stonewalling scrutiny of the system’s financial records. Controller Scott Stringer has sought, so far without success, access to the library’s ledgers.
* As for “opening the books” the lawsuit reported on in the New York Post about bitter internecine warfare engulfing NYPL trustee Marshall Rose's real estate business and family might one day surprise us with some relevance to information about what is happening respecting the libraries- Stay tuned– Bitter family feud pits dad against son-in-law: suit, By Julia Marsh, April 30, 2014 http://nypost.com/2014/04/30/real-war-of-roses-pits-former-city-planning-boss-against-his-dad-in-law/
* Article from Bloomberg News NYC Library Plan Pits de Blasio Vow Against Mayoral Reality (1), By Henry Goldman April 24, 2014 http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-04-24/nyc-library-plan-pits-de-blasio-pledge-against-mayoral-realities#p1
*On Tuesday, the City Council's Committee on Cultural Affairs and Libraries had a hearing on Tracking How the Department of Design & Construction Spends, Monitors and Discloses Capital Funding for Library and Cultural Projects. The Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Design and Construction (DDC), David Resnick, answered questions about the financing and oversight of the New York Public Library's proposed renovations, formerly termed the Central Library Plan. The new Commissioner, Dr. Feniosky Peña-Mora of Columbia University, was present; this being his first day in office, testified on the functions of the DDC.
It became clear that the DDC had not been involved in the NYPL's plans, in fact that there had been little or no oversight of their proposed projects (such as sales of major libraries to support remodelings of the Main Branch), despite the fact that the building at 42nd and Fifth is owned by the City of New York (i.e. by its citizens) and sits on land owned by the City of New York. It was proposed that the expert DDC be in charge (prospectively, not retrospectively) of projects like the proposed desecration of a great public cultural resource such as the NYPL, and that the City Council, which has the power to do so, demand accountability.
City Council Member Helen Rosenthal asked questions on the NYPL Research Library plans and financing, and is receptive to questions from us to pose at future hearings. She can be reached at: Council Member Helen Rosenthal, Marisa Maack mmaack@council.nyc.gov. 212-873-0282 x200 or Hrosenthal@council.nyc.gov
Councilman Stephen Levin asked DDC to do an assessment of how much it would cost to fix the AC at the Brooklyn Heights Library and asked for options in examining the repairs. Questions were raised about conflicts of interest among members of the NYPL Board of Directors, and about the appointment of members of the NYPL Board of Directors, which apparently is a self-perpetuating board.
City Council woman Laurie Cumbo asked four of us who testified questions about the NYPL and BPL boards. It was suggested that the Council, the NYC Comptroller and the Mayor exercise promptly their ability to appoint members to the Board, and Chairman Van Bramer said they were in fact considering the question currently. It was also suggested that a sub-sub-committee of the Sub-Committee on Libraries be instituted to actively oversee and participate in board discussions. Chairman Van Bramer noted that a great deal of risk had been exposed in this hearing, and that it was very alarming that there could be so much spent on libraries with no monitoring.
FOR TODAY'S HEARING, SEE: NYC Council Oversight Hearing on Capital Funding for Library & Cultural Projects. http://legistar.council.nyc.gov/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=304833&GUID=B7A7ED3D-6E24-48C8-B532-89517BF359D7&Options=info|&Search=
What You Can do
Today is the last day to submit testimony Email Tai Meah at tumeah@council.nyc.gov
Send questions for future hearings to Council Member Helen Rosenthal, Marisa Maack mmaack@council.nyc.gov. 212-873-0282 x200 or Hrosenthal@council.nyc.gov
Tweet Bill de Blasio at @deblasionyc Your Library Budget priority: NYPL's CLP $350 million for Branches and repairs, NO more Sell Offs!
Thank you for caring about our libraries and our democracy, Carolyn McIntyre
