City Councilman James Sanders (D-Laurelton) rallied library users of all ages outside the Laurelton branch Monday evening to speak out against the proposed cuts that would drastically cut service.
Nearly 30 protesters, many of whom were young children who came after school with homemade signs, gathered outside the branch, at 134-26 225th St., to urge the city to rethink its proposed $25.3 million reduction to the Queens Library. The cuts would reduce hours at several branches, lay off library workers and decrease the amount of services offered at the branches.
Dave Wang, manager of the Laurelton branch, which operates 33 hours a week only on weekdays, said the cuts would reduce those hours and result in the space being open only three days a week.
“I feel heartbroken. How could they let this happen?” he asked.
The cuts would reduce the library’s overall budget by 30 percent, according to library officials, and have an immediate impact on the branches throughout the borough. More than 470 staff members would be laid off, 48 libraries would be closed four or five days a week and 13 libraries would be the only ones that would be open on weekdays.
The central branch in Jamaica would be the only location that would offer six-day service, according to library officials.
Sanders said that hundreds of library users come in and out of the branch each day not only to take out books, but also to use the free Internet access for homework or job searches or have a place to congregate with their peers.
“I’m at a place where you have the public come together,” he said.
The councilman did acknowledge the city is undergoing a tough economic hardship, but said the mayor was not being fair by solving the budget problems on the backs of constituents. He pushed for a stronger tax on millionaires and wealthy businesses instead of cuts to the library system.
“The mayor says we can’t find the money. My friends, one tax on one hedge fund will get all the money,” he said.
The charge against the budget cuts continued the next day at the Central Library branch in Jamaica. Dozens of library workers raised their voices to let the city know they would not be accepting the cuts without a fight.
Selina Sharnez is one of the 230 library workers who was given a 90-day layoff notice and spoke out at the rally.
“The Queens Library has given me the opportunity to grow,” she said.
Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside), who used to work as a community liaison at the library for 11 years, let the protest and said he would fight hard to make sure no services were reduced at any of the branches.
“I am fighting every single day for our libraries because I know how important they are,” he said.
Reach reporter Ivan Pereira by e-mail at ipereira@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4546.