You are reading

Demonstrators in Sunnyside Protest Mayor’s Plan to Slash Library Budget

(Photo provided by Hailie Kim)

Hailie Kim, a city council candidate, pictured, was joined by library workers and students for a rally in Sunnyside Tuesday protesting the mayor’s proposal to cut millions of dollars from the city’s library system. (Photo provided by Hailie Kim)

Jan. 18, 2023 By Michael Dorgan

A city council candidate, library workers and students held a rally in Sunnyside Tuesday protesting the mayor’s proposal to cut millions of dollars from the city’s library system.

The rally was held in front of Sunnyside Library, located at 43-06 Greenpoint Ave., where demonstrators held signs reading “budget cuts hurt us,” “keep our future bright,” and “fund libraries.”

They also chanted slogans such as “we need libraries, we need books, we need the money that the city took!”

The protesters gathered to voice their concern about the mayor’s preliminary budget proposal – issued Thursday – that would see more than $13 million shaved off the New York Public Library system this year, with an additional $20.5 million slashed next year.

Hailie Kim, a city council candidate for the 26th District who helped organize the rally, denounced the proposed cuts and said that libraries play a crucial role in educating students.

(Photo via Hailie Kim Twitter)

A speaker at Tuesday’s rally (Photo via Hailie Kim Twitter)

Mayor Eric Adams presents his Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) preliminary budget. City Hall. Thursday, January 12, 2022. Photo Credit: Benny Polatseck/Mayoral Photography Office

Mayor Eric Adams, pictured presenting his Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) preliminary budget at City Hall on Jan. 12, 2023 (Photo by Benny Polatseck/Mayoral Photography Office)

“Libraries provide essential services that benefit all New Yorkers and are lifelines for the most vulnerable in our society, especially immigrant children,” said Kim, who immigrated from South Korea when she was a child.

“I grew up here as an immigrant child in Sunnyside, so this is deeply personal to me. It was at this very library that I learned to read.”

Adams has said the cuts are necessary, despite the city expected to generate an additional $1.7 billion in FY23 and $738 million in FY24. The extra bump in revenue is being driven, in part, by Wall Street, Adams said.

However, Adams said the cost of settling multiple expired labor contracts, accommodating approximately 40,000 asylum seekers and additional health care costs, will put a strain on the city’s finances which requires belt-tightening measures. He said that federal COVID-era stimulus funds will also run out by the fiscal year 2025.

It is unclear what impact the proposed cuts would have on the library system and the services it provides. Queens Public Library has nearly 1 million active cardholders and provides books and media in over 30 different languages.

Adams said that one way of creating savings across city agencies would be by letting job vacancies go unfilled. His proposals are by no means final since there will be hearings and negotiations with the city council before the final budget is agreed upon by July 1.

Damien Andrade, a student advocate who attended Tuesday’s rally, called on the city council to fight the mayor’s proposals, fearing that library services would be hit hard.

“Libraries provide a safe place for New Yorkers to do homework, read their favorite books, and access printers and WiFi,” Andrade said.

“If our city council members back this budget, our libraries will have to cut their hours, staff, and educational programs. We as New Yorkers depend on this safe place to help receive resources that we might not be able to access at home.”

(Photo via Hailie Kim Twitter)

Demonstrators at Tuesday’s rally (Photo via Hailie Kim Twitter)

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Advocates urge passage of New York for All Act as Assembly session nears end

Jun. 16, 2025 By Jimmy Robles

As the State Senate concluded its legislative session on Thursday, immigrant rights advocates renewed calls for lawmakers to pass the New York for All Act before the Assembly adjourns on Tuesday, June 17. The proposed legislation, along with several other immigration-related bills, remains pending as the clock winds down on this year’s session.

Queens gun buyback takes 74 firearms off streets, including ghost guns and assault weapons: DA

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Monday that 74 firearms were taken off the streets at the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York in Jamaica during a gun buyback event on Saturday, June 14. The weapons were exchanged for bank cards pre-loaded with cash, with no identification required and no questions asked.

“Gun buybacks serve as a critical tool for reducing gun violence and promoting public safety within our communities,” Katz said. “This Saturday, working with the NYPD and clergy leaders in Jamaica, we received 74 surrendered guns — including five automatic weapons. As a result, these firearms will not be used to cause heartache and tragedy.”

Queens Distance Runners hosts second annual track meet at St. John’s University, spotlighting Olympian and local talent

Jun. 16, 2025 By Paulina Albarracin

Dozens of runners gathered at the DaSilva Field Track in St. John’s University for the second annual track meet last month. Hosted by Queens Distance Runners (QDR), a grassroots running organization, the sporting competition welcomed sprinters and distance runners of all skill levels to test their abilities, vying for the podium in track events from 100 meters to 5,000 meters.