NYC Public Library Action Network

An illustration of an iconic NYC public library entrance sits on a light blue background. Text in red is overlaid that reads “March 18th, fund our public libraries, budget meeting, register to testify.” A link is included with more information to be reached at https://bit.ly/4b1ze3H Graphic created by @montimer.bsky.social

NYC City Council is holding a hearing on Wed March 18th to discuss the preliminary budget.

We need YOUR VOICE to tell them to fund our libraries!

You can testify over zoom, in person, or simply submit written testimony.

Here's an easy summary of how :

bit.ly/4beNTsH

A black background with large green text that reads “2%”. Underneath, there is a quote from the New York Times that reads “[libraries and parks are] the lifeblood of many neighborhoods, crucial to public health and climate resistance. The city devotes barely 2 percent of its funds to them now.” Small text at the bottom of the image reads NYCPLAN : Public Library Action Network

Do you want to work with us to secure stable and increased funding for our library systems?

NYC PLAN’s next membership meeting is March 15 : email info@nycplan.org for more details - we’d love to see you there!

A black background with bold green text reads “35,000 upvotes”. Below, a quote from the New York Times article reads “a suggestion to devote more resources to parks and libraries …. received the most up versus down votes. Supporting libraries and parks - beyond the roughly 2 percent of the city’s budget now spent on them - may seem a mild no brainer. But 35,000 up votes to increase the funding makes plain just how valuable these traditional rent poles remain to residents and others in a swiftly changing city besieged by competing budget demands”. Small text at the bottom reads NYCPLAN : Public Library Action Network

With over 35,000 upvotes, NYers spotlighted that our libraries deserve additional budgetary support to complete their essential work.

See the results here: nyti.ms/3N00Gae

An image of books in a library with a woman reaching for a book, superimposed with text that reads “The winner? Dedicate more of the city budget to public libraries and parks, the lifeblood of many neighborhoods, crucial to public health and climate resilience. The city devotes barely 2 percent of its funds to them now.” Small text at the bottom of the image reads : NYC PLAN : Public Library Action Network

The winner?

"Dedicate more of the city budget to public libraries and parks, the lifeblood of many neighborhoods, crucial to public health and climate resilience. The city devotes barely 2 percent of its funds to them now.”

A picture of a 4 train entering a platform with the city behind it. On top of the graphic, text is superimposed that reads : “The New York Times asked readers to vote on 17 ways mayor Mamdani could improve New York.” At the bottom of the image, small font reads NYC PLAN : Public Library Action Networl

This New York Times survey bit.ly/4tZvjx3 asked readers how they want to improve our city:

Photo of NYC Mayor Mamdani smiling, with text in bold letters superimposed that read “New Yorkers want more funding for libraries”. A small header reads “NYC PLAN : Public Library Action Network”

@mayor.nyc.gov It’s clear : New Yorkers want increased funds for our public libraries.

Taking page from Adams, Mayor Mamdani proposes NYC library cuts Library advocates called the mayor’s proposed budget “terrible.”

From @gothamist.com :

““If you're just going to say, ‘Oh, I love the library,’ but you’re not actually supporting them, then that’s a real disappointment and, frankly, bulls---,” said Abby Emerson, a member of the NYC Public Library Action Network, or NYC PLAN.

gothamist.com/news/taking-...

“Library funding has long been subject to what advocates describe as a recurring “budget dance,” with mayors proposing cuts or inadequate increases before restorations are negotiated later.

Mamdani had pledged to break that cycle.”

Thanks to @thecity.nyc for covering this broken promise!

Libraries Are for Everyone: Invest in Libraries New York City's public libraries offer vital support to all, regardless of background, income, birthplace, or beliefs.

This funding increase to 0.5% is a core demand of NYC PLAN - one which has been amplified by our library systems to help ensure that every branch has the staffing and resources to provide robust services to their communities.

Help us get NYC libraries the raise they deserve

investinlibraries.org

Tan colored square with red and brown text on top that reads “We need the NYC council to stabilize and properly fund NYC public libraries in the city budget” and then in smaller text below there is text that reads “send your council person a letter today!” With arrows pointing to a website located at “bit.ly/nyccouncil2026”

City Council will negotiate and approve this budget, and NYC PLAN is working to convince each and every member that our public libraries deserve more.

Join us in calling our council members to demand 0.5% funding for libraries & hold the mayor accountable to his word:

nycplan.org/actions/call...

Image showing Mayor Mamdani looking frustrated, with a text overlaid that reads “NYC Public Library Action Network” at the top, and in large bold letters text that reads “Mayor Mamdani did not honor his commitment to allocate 0.5% of the city expense budget to NYC public libraries in his preliminary budget” and then in smaller font below, there is text that reads “visit NYCPLAN.ORG for more information”

While a candidate, @mayor.nyc.gov pledged to commit 0.5% of the city’s budget to public libraries.

Unfortunately, Mayor Mamdani has broken this promise in his preliminary FY27 budget, released yesterday, where he allocated 0.39% to libraries.

This amount is well below the promised 0.5%

What is a People’s Assembly?

It’s a facilitated gathering where community members discuss key issues, collectively problem-solve, and decide how to address them.

More info on NYCPLAN’s website:

nycplan.org/peoples-asse...

NYC Public Library People's Assembly Join us on March 21 for a discussion about our visions for NYC libraries.

We’re hosting our 3rd People’s Assembly Sat Mar 21, at @maketheroadny.bsky.social in Corona, Queens!

Join us to learn how you can advocate for increased public library funding, hear about services NYC libraries provide, and get involved to make a positive impact!

www.eventbrite.com/e/nyc-public...

NYCs preliminary budget is expected to come out soon, & NYC PLAN is expecting @mayor.nyc.gov to keep his promise to fund our NYC Libraries at a minimum of 0.5% of the City’s operating budget.

We look forward to the City Council also maintaining this minimum fiscal amount for our libraries.

“A budget is a reflection of our values”

Want to support a budget that prioritizes care and community?

Spend 2 mins & call your city council member, demanding at least 0.5% of the budget be dedicated to NYC library systems.

Thank you to CD 36’s council member Chi Ossé @chiosse.bsky.social for being a public library champion and committing to @nycplan.org ‘s demand of dedicating %0.5 of the budget to libraries! 🎉

We appreciate your support!

Thank you to council member Alexa Avilés @cmalexaaviles.bsky.social for being a tireless advocate for public resources, and committing to dedicate %0.5 of the city budget to our NYC library systems! 👏👏👏

@nycplan.org appreciates your support! ✨

A still black and white image from the Addams Family, with Wednesday Addams holding the hand of Uncle Fester. Text overlaid on the character of Wednesday reads “Wednesday phone zap”, and the text overlaid on the character of Uncle Fester reads “City Council funding libraries with at least %0.5 of the city budget”

Wednesday phone zap time!

Join NYC PLAN in calling our city council members every Wednesday to demand at least %0.5 of the city budget be dedicated to our NYC library systems.

Find your CM and a helpful script here: nycplan.org/actions/call...

Image of a pink telephone on a background of notepad paper, with text that reads “calls will continue until library budgets improve” and underneath, additional text saying “join us in calling our city council members every Wednesday to let them know library funding is a non-negotiable priority! Ask for 0.5% of the budget for libraries”

Is your New Years resolution to support our NYC library systems??

Call your council member and demand they pledge 0.5% of the budget for libraries in each budget made while they are in office!

Find your CM and use this helpful script to make your voice heard : nycplan.org/actions/call...

It’s Wednesday, the perfect time to call your city council member and leave a message saying you want them to commit 0.5% of the city budget to NYC public libraries.

Join us and let them know you want our NYC libraries to have sustained and predictable funding!

nycplan.org/actions/call...

A illustration on a tan background that reads “have a spine, support the library budget”, above a stack of books, with words underneath that read “join us in calling our city council members every Wednesday to let them know library funding is a non-negotiable priority! Ask for .5% of the budget for libraries”

Have you called your city council member this week to tell them that library funding is a non negotiable priority?

Find your council member and use our script:
nycplan.org/actions/call...

Already called?? Let us know how it went with our quick survey!

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Meme showing the characters from the movie mean girls, wearing pink in a lunch room, with text that says “on Wednesdays we demand .5% of the city budget for library funding”

It’s Wednesday phone zap time!

Join us in calling your city council member to demand 0.5% of the budget go to our libraries.

Use this script and then tell us how it went with our survey!

nycplan.org/actions/call...

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

It only takes a minute to support our demand

Thank you to Council Member Shahana Hanif @cmshahanahanif.bsky.social for being a public library champion and signing on to support @nycplan.org 0.5% budget demand.

Thank you Member Hanif 👏 we appreciate your support!

council.nyc.gov/district-39/

Thank you to Council Member Lincoln Restler for signing on to our 0.5% library funding demand!

@cmrestler.bsky.social participated in our Brooklyn People's Assembly in May, and we appreciate his support.

Thanks to CM Restler for being a public library champion! 🙌

council.nyc.gov/district-33/

District 1 New York City Council

Thank you to District 1's Council Member Christopher Marte who is a terrific public library champion, who also participated in @nycplan.org 's People's Assembly last month! council.nyc.gov/district-1/

As our 2nd YES, if you’re in his district please express appreciation for his support!

Thank you to Council Member Lynn Schulman of District 29 for committing to being a NYC Public Library champion, and pledging .5% of the annual city expense budget in each financial plan released while they are in office!! 👏

If Council Member Shulman is your representative - please send our thanks!

City Council, we demand half a percent of the overall city budget for libraries! In response to the NYC FY2026 Budget, adopted this June, the Brooklyn Public Library, the New York Public Library, and the Queens Public Library released a joint statement thanking City Leaders for in...

Have 30 seconds during lunch?

Make an impact by sending a letter to your City Council Member, showing support for increased and stabilized funding of NYC public library systems

actionnetwork.org/letters/city...

An image still from the movie mean girls, where both characters are wearing pink, with text that reads “On Wednesdays we demand .5% of the budget for library funding”.

Feeling inspired to take action this morning?

Join us in calling our City Council members and demand .5% of the budget be committed to fund our libraries!

Already called? Tell us how it went:

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

The image is a hand drawn flow diagram with the title of “how can I get involved?” The diagram shows a deepening commitment and involvement with NYC PLAN as options are chosen. The first way to get involved is through being an Ally, subscribing to our newsletter or getting connected with For the People for someone outside nyc. The next option is to be a Sponsor, and provide material resources to our group such as space, money, or printed materials. Then there’s a Network Supporter, for someone who is contributing to campaigns and events when they can. Then there’s a member - someone who comes to meetings, joins a working group, and gets involved with events.

📢 Want to organize around NYC public libraries to secure stable and expanded funding?

Our next meeting is Nov 16, 2-4:15 in Brooklyn - email info@nycplan.org for details.

We’re organizing a People’s Assembly + Library propaganda fair in addition to our current campaign - hope to see you there!

A tan image, with a stack of books in the center. Above the books is text that reads “Have a spine, support the library budget”. Below the image, there is text that reads “Join us in calling our city council members every Wednesday to let them know library funding is a non-negotiable priority!” And the last line of text reads “ask for .5% of the budget for libraries!”

🎃 Thinking spooky thoughts this Wednesday about what NYC would be like without our libraries?

Join us in calling our City Council Members to demand they commit .5% of the budget for libraries!

Not sure what to say? Not sure who your council member is?

Find out here!
nycplan.org/actions/call..