What is going on with New York’s public libraries?

I know people are probably pretty up on the general level of change, upheaval and consternation that are happening surrounding NYPLs big changes, most notably the changes at the Central Library but also the closure and sale of the Mid-Manhattan branch. You may not know about the closure and sale of some of the Brooklyn Public Library’s branches in which buildings are being sold and new spaces are being leased/rented to fit the library collections, programs and staff into. I know we’ve been fighting against some of the major downsides involved in leasing versus owning content, I think it’s important to think about the major downsides involved in renting rather than owning real estate. Here is some further reading about the Brooklyn plans.

• For Brooklyn PL, Planned Sale of Branches Promises Opportunity, Provokes Concern
• Saving Schools and Libraries by Giving Up the Land They Sit On
• Brooklyn Public Library plans to sell two dilapidated branches and move them into smaller locations
• BPL’s explanation of the plan
• Brooklyn Public Library to sell off Boerum Hill’s Carnegie branch
• Is the Public Getting Swindled by the City’s Short-Sighted School and Library Sell-Offs?
• Girl Scout troop fights to save Pacific Branch library

Want to get involved?

• Tweet or share this video. Girls speak out to save the historic Brooklyn library they love.
• Keep up with what Urban Libraries Unite are up to.
• Follow the Citizens Defending Libraries blog.
• The Queens Library is facing similar issues and has a petition that you can sign right on their website.
• Brooklyn Public Library has a Speak Up For Your Library page where you can share your voice.
• The People’s Budget NYC is a place you can vote on community suggestions for budgeting, extended library hours is at the top.
• The Pacific Branch has its own Save The Pacific Library page.
• Facebook options: Urban Libraries Unite, Save NYC Libraries