The New York Times editorial board questions the priorities of a city that can support sports facilities with hundreds of millions of dollars in taxpayer funds but neglects its libraries.
An op-ed by the New York Times editorial board voices unequivocal support for the requests of New York's public libraries. Those requests, as listed by the op-ed:
"New York’s public libraries want about $1.5 billion from the city over the next 10 years so they can fix their buildings, which are old, crowded, falling apart or lacking in things they need to be useful in the 21st century, like electrical outlets. They also want more operating money, $378 million, up from about $320 million, to improve programs and services in the coming fiscal year and to stay open longer…"
The op-ed notes that library service hours are a "basic indicator of library-system vigor." On this measure, New York trails "Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Antonio and San Diego. And the city’s suburbs. And Albany."
Though the libraries are privately run institutions, they depend heavily on public funds, and, according to the op-ed: "Keeping the sprawling system healthy is a core municipal responsibility."
Read the full story: New York City’s Libraries Need Money
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