The Dreaded NYC Library Budget Dance Continues...

And it really really sucks for everyone

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani promised to dedicate 0.5% of the city’s budget to the city’s library system. His initial spending plan, however, allocates only about 0.39% of the city’s budget to libraries. It represents a cut from the previous fiscal year’s adopted budget.

The NYC Public Library Action Network (NYC PLAN) has forcefully argued that the current budget proposal is inadequate. Several members of our group testified about the FY27 Preliminary Budget and the need for more for libraries at the March 18 hearing of the City Council’s Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations.

During the hearing, members reiterated the need to fully fund and to stabilize NYC public libraries. We also reiterated our demand that this funding be benchmarked at 0.5% of the city’s expense budget annually.

Testimony from library heads

The hearing opened with chairperson Dr. Nantasha Williams noting that public libraries are “among the most trusted and widely used institutions in our city,” which provide not just books, but “job training, tech access, and educational support.”

Despite their vital role, however, Williams said, “At the preliminary budget stage, the full level of funding libraries require is often absent, creating uncertainty for the systems and the communities that rely on them.” The preliminary plan, she said, did not include the $30.7 million one-time funding added in the fiscal 2026 budget.

The constant failure to fully fund the library system, Williams said, leads to “uncertainty in staffing, programming, and long-term service planning” and makes it impossible for libraries to plan and grow.”

Next the heads of the three NYC Public Library systems testified: Anthony W. Marx of The New York Public Library. Dennis M. Walcott of the Queens Public Library, and Linda E. Johnson of the Brooklyn Public Library.

Marx said that the library heads had been “thrilled” that Mamdani planned to “end the budget dance with consistent baseline funding of .5% of the city’s budget” which would “transform library services.” Marx said that despite Mamdani’s failure to deliver on his promise in the initial budget, talks with the Mamdani administration had been productive and he believes that “the mayor is intent on delivering” on his campaign promise.

Testimony from the public

A number of library advocates spoke to the committee. Emily Drabinski, a librarian and a professor at Queens College CUNY, testified on behalf of Library PAC, noting that while Mamdani in his campaign had “made a clear historic commitment to public libraries” the February financial plan proposes “only $492 million for public libraries, a $36 million reduction from 2026 levels.” This shortfall continues “the very budget dance [Mamdani] once called ‘damaging,’” Drabinski said.

Hal Schrieve, a librarian, noted that ze had knocked 1200 doors for Mamdani in part because of his promise to fund libraries. Hal said ze was “disappointed” that Mamdani had not fulfilled those promises. Funding for libraries, ze said, “is still a really small fraction of the overall city budget, but…would make a huge difference” for the libraries and the New Yorkers who use them as a space to read, to stay warm, to do homework. Libraries, ze concluded, are “a cornerstone of our public life.”

Testimony from NYC PLAN

Dr. Abby Emerson, a New York City educator, testified at the hearing as a member of NYC PLAN. She explained that the .39% budget proposal was “woefully inadequate,” and that it was a reduction from the Adams administration budget of .42%. “Nationally, our public goods are being stripped away at every turn, and we have an obligation to ensure that does not happen at the local level,” she said. “I personally find libraries one of the most emotionally moving spaces in our city. Where else is everyone truly welcome without payment?”

Dr. Emerson’s daughter, Melody, testified that her local library had “only one bathroom and no water fountain” and that “it would be cool if the library had enough money for more programs for younger kids and not just teens.” She added, “Why is Mayor Mamdani breaking his campaign promise? New mayor, same problem.”

Esther Welsh, Claire Park, Steven Pei and Dylan Flesch, all members of NYC PLAN, testified before the committee via Zoom. They reiterated the demand that funding for libraries be established at .5% of the city budget.

Flesch criticized library management for not being more critical of the administration. “Library management is tiptoeing around this conversation because they’re trying to maintain positive relationships with the mayor while they’re doing backroom negotiations,” he said. “We have to stop accepting these crumbs in the budget and fight for more.”

I also testified and in part reiterated words I’d published here a month ago:

“We live in a time of pervasive disillusionment. People are rightly mistrustful of most institutions. The library can serve as one way to show that public goods are actually GOOD and that institutions aren’t meaningless.

I ask that the City Council support the demand of 0.5% of the city expense budget to be allocated to our public libraries.

As Rita Dove wrote: “The library is an arena of possibility, opening both a window into the soul and a door onto the world.” New York is a city of possibility and it deserves fully funded libraries.”

Next steps

The City Council will craft their preliminary budget response. Then the mayor will present an updated proposal in late April/early May, the executive budget, which will trigger another round of hearings by the council. Finally the council will negotiate an adopted budget that the council will vote to pass by the end of June.

At each next step, the public has influence and power to shape the outcome. Here are some actions each of us can take.

1. Pay attention to the City Council preliminary budget response.

2. Read the Mayor’s Executive budget when released in late April.

3. Testify at the next round of City Council hearings.

4. Make sure that the City Council hears from you by writing letters, making calls and setting up meetings with members over the next few weeks.

5. Send a short note to the Mayor telling him to honor his campaign promise.

6. Speak to your neighbors and community members about the importance of public libraries. Maybe set up your own Libraries and Lemonade stands this spring.