NYC Library Defenders

Hi Library Defenders,

This week, we’re asking you to make your Thursday Call for Libraries to Queens Borough President Melinda Katz.  Given the news about the president of the Queens Public Library, we should expect Borough President Katz to be concerned to maintain a high standard in the running of the Queens Public Library system.  She certainly should be against the NYPL’s ill-advised and wasteful Central Library Plan, and oppose $150 million of taxpayer money—including taxes paid by her constituents—going to pay for it, money would be far better spent supporting libraries throughout the city, including those in Queens. And since the world-class 42nd Street Research Library serves all New Yorkers, including residents of Queens, the Central Library Plan’s program to gut and shrink it would be a huge loss for her constituents.

Thursday Calls for Libraries:  Melinda Katz, Queens Borough President: (718) 286-3000

Use the script below, adapt it as you see fit or simply use your own ask Borough President Katz and to stand up for and defend our public libraries.

“Hello, my name is ________________; I live at ______________; my zip code is ________. I am calling to ask that Borough President Katz stand up for our public libraries by ensuring that they are adequately funded and staffed.  One important way she can do this is to oppose spending $150 million of our taxpayer money on the New York Public Library’s ill-advised Central Library Plan.  That taxpayer money would be far better budgeted to support libraries throughout New York, including Queens, rather than to destroy the world-class 42nd Street Research Library that serves all New Yorkers, including her constituents in Queens.” 

Thursday Calls for Libraries:  Melinda Katz, Queens Borough President: (718) 286-3000

You can also write a letter if you want, since that is always a powerful way to communicate your concerns.  Here’s the address: Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, 120-55 Queens Blvd, New York, NY 11415.As always, our weekly Thursday Thanksgiving thoughts will include all of you, who are helping to make this a better world.

Martha Rowen