Why Is New York City Planning to Sell and Shrink Its Libraries?

Defend our libraries, don't defund them. . . . . fund 'em, don't plunder 'em

Mayor Bloomberg defunded New York libraries at a time of increasing public use, population growth and increased city wealth, shrinking our library system to create real estate deals for wealthy real estate developers at a time of cutbacks in education and escalating disparities in opportunity. It’s an unjust and shortsighted plan that will ultimately hurt New York City’s economy and competitiveness.

It should NOT be adopted by those we have now elected to pursue better policies.

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Our Election Edition Respecting The Democratic Primary (September 12, 2017): Races For Mayor, Public Advocate, City Council

Save The Library press conference in Inwood Thursday
We hope that library defenders registered as Democratic in New York City will be voting this Tuesday (September 12, 2017), in the primary.  Much of what you as a voter might want to know you were likely to find out if, this Thursday, you were with the crowd up in the neighborhood of Inwood standing outside the Inwood Library calling for that library to be saved from sale from development by Mayor Bill de Blasio and his administration.
Sal Albanese, candidate for Mayor
You would have heard Sal Albanese, running for mayor against library-selling Bill de Blasio decrying the de Blasio administration’s many library sales, including the Inwood library.  Sal Albanese has signed our Citizens Defending Libraries Letter of Support.  More on what you need to know about the two Democratic candidates for mayor is available here: Democratic Primary (September 12, 2017)- Candidates For Mayor: Sal Albanese vs. Bill de Blasio.
David Eisenbach, candidate for NYC Public Advocate
David Eisenbach was there.  He is running against incumbent Tish James for the office of Public Advocate.   David Eisenbach has signed our Citizens Defending Libraries Letter of Support.  More on what you need to know about the two Democratic candidates for Public Advocate is available here:  Democratic Primary (September 12, 2017)- Candidates For Public Advocate: David Eisenbach vs. incumbent Tish James.

You also need to know that a lot of the people who are causing trouble for the communities they are supposed to represent are city councilmen helping to push through sale of the libraries.  In the neighborhood of Inwood, Josue Perez is running against the local library-selling city councilman Ydanis Rodriguez and therefore has gottensupport of several Uptown groups, including Save the Inwood Library.”  Josue Perez spoke at Thursday’s Save The Inwood Library Press conference.
Josue Perez, running for city council against library-selling Ydanis Rodriguez
Other city council members high on the list NOT to vote for because they favor and push through library sales: Brad Lander, Steve Levin (sales are shrinking two libraries in his district the Brooklyn Heights Library and Williamsburg Library), Carlos Menchaca (selling the Sunset park Library), and Laurie Cumbo.

Ede Fox is running against Ms. Cumbo and her real estate money.

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