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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline JULY 05, 2024 | The Indian Eye 22

Mayor Adams Celebrates $58.3 Million

Investment In City’s Three Library Systems

Announcement Follows On-Time, Balanced, and Fiscally-Responsible $112.4 Billion

OUR BUREAU
NEW YORK, NY
ew York City Mayor Eric Ad-
ams today celebrated an on-
Ntime, balanced, and fiscally-re-
sponsible $112.4 billion Fiscal Year
(FY) 2025 Budget that addresses the
city’s affordability crisis head-on and
invests in the future of the city and the
working-class people who make New
York the greatest city in the world. The
budget specifically invests $58.3 million
to fully fund three major library sys-
tems — the New York Public Library
(NYPL), the Brooklyn Public Library
(BPL), and the Queens Public Library
(QPL). The investments will allow the
libraries to resume Sunday service
across all branches that previously
offered it and open newly renovated
locations across the five boroughs.
On Friday, Mayor Adams and
New York City Council Speaker Adri-
enne Adams also announced that
$42.8 baselined will be baselined in
budgets in years going forward. Yes-
terday, the City Council voted to pass
the FY25 Budget. Following Friday’s our libraries and invests in the future city that never sleeps, our libraries are Cultural Affairs and Libraries. “They
announcement, New Yorkers from of our city.” open every day of the week, providing provide books, language classes, the-
across the city, including the heads of “Making good on our promise to the resources and support to our com- ater and music performances, access
the three library systems, praised the increase affordable housing, support munities. to technology, career and financial
FY25 Budget. Thanks to the Adams cultural institutions, and invest in li- “New York’s iconic libraries are services, and countless other oppor-
administration’s ongoing strong fiscal braries, we have funded and restored neighborhood institutions. More than tunities, all for free. For over a centu-
management, which was bolstered by critical services for New Yorkers repositories of knowledge, they are ry, New York’s public library systems
better-than-expected revenue growth, thanks to responsible fiscal manage- hubs of community activity where have been connecting people to valu-
the administration overcame unprece- ment,” said Deputy Mayor for Hous- job seekers receive career guidance, able resources and are a cornerstone
dented challenges in this budget cycle ing, Economic Development, and immigrants learn English, and chil- of our vibrant civic society, and I am
to stabilize the city’s financial outlook Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. dren’s minds grow in Pre-K,” said proud to have passed a budget that re-
and close a $7.1 billion budget gap. “The Inwood Library and The Eliza New York State Assemblymember stores and baselines funding for these
“As a young man who struggled Apartments not only bring a state-of- Jenifer Rajkumar. “I am proud that vital institutions.”
with dyslexia, I understand firsthand the-art library facility and affordable we have reached an agreement to re- “This is a victory for New York
how important libraries are for chil- housing uptown, but are a model for store $58.3 million in funding to our City! The FY25 funding will allow us
dren, families, and every New Yorker building co-located housing moving trifecta of world class library systems. to continue providing the programs
in leveling the playing field,” said May- forward. We thank the City Council This investment will allow libraries to and services people need and restore
or Adams. “That’s why we restored for their partnership and shared com- open on Sundays, hire needed staff, the Sunday service so crucial to so
more than $58 million in funding to mitment to improving the lives of all and make critical renovations. It is all many of our communities, said An-
our city’s three public library systems New Yorkers through this year’s bud- part of our fiscally responsible $112.4 thony W. Marx, president and CEO,
and baselined $42.8 million in funding get process.” billion budget that makes the right in- The New York Public Library.
every year moving forward — provid- “Libraries are more than just vestments in our city and puts us on a “Thank you to Mayor Adams and
ing peace of mind to our entire library homes to great books; they are life- path to growth and prosperity in the his administration for delivering this
system. From providing spaces to pre- lines of critical support services that Greatest City in the World.” budget that prioritizes baselined fund-
pare our young people for a bright help New Yorkers thrive and feel “Public libraries are vital to the ing for libraries. Thank you, Speaker
future to being a vital partner in the safe,” said New York Senator Robert character of our city, and provide jobs, Adams, Finance Chair Brannan, Li-
creation of affordable housing, librar- Jackson, representing Northern Man- support small businesses, and enrich braries Chair Rivera, and the entire
ies are a lifeline for countless commu- hattan and Northwest Bronx. “I am our everyday lives as New Yorkers,” City Council for your strong support
nities. Today, we can all be proud that thrilled to celebrate the restoration of said New York City Councilmember throughout this budget process. This
our city has a budget that invests in full library services, ensuring that in a Carlina Rivera, chair, Committee on funding will change lives.”

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