Save NYC Libraries Postcard Campaign and Urban Librarians Unite
www.savenyclibraries.org
savenyclibraries@gmail.com

For Immediate Release
May 18, 2010

Media Contacts: Christian Zabriskie 941.445.7114 and Lauren Comito 646.662.6209

Save NYC Libraries Postcard Campaign and Urban Librarians Unite Announce
A Flash Mob Library Hug

June 4, 2011
2:00pm

New York, New York -- May 2011 -- Save NYC Libraries Campaign and Urban Librarians Unite announce a massive library hug in support of New York City's public libraries. It will happen at 2:00 PM June 4, 2011, and will encircle the New York Public Library's Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, 42 Street and 5th Avenue, New York, New York, USA. www.savenyclibraries.org

The Library Hug will bring together library supporters and staff to show love for the library and all that it does for our community. Supporters will surround this most historic and symbolic of libraries to show support for the our cultural repositories. This is also to symbolically protect the library from the devastating budget cuts that New York City’s Libraries are facing.

Mayor Bloomberg's Executive Budget for FY'11 calls for a reduction in funding of $25.5 million for Queens Library, $25.2 million for Brooklyn Public Library, and $40 million for New York Public Library. This represents a cumulative 40% decrease in funding since 2008. If enacted, the budget cuts will result in the closing of at least 28 libraries, almost 1500 library staff being laid off. Almost all libraries will be closed on the weekend with many neighborhood libraries being open 2-3 days a week. Unless the City Council votes to restore funding, libraries' ability to provide New Yorkers with job search help, afterschool tutoring, computer access and instruction, English classes, and research assistance will be devastated.

Last year the Save NYC Libraries’ Read-In had approximately 1200 attendees over the course of the 24 hours and received extensive coverage in print, radio, and television media. This year’s Library Hug is part of an aggressive activism campaign for libraries in the city which will culminate in a a 24 Hour Read-In on June 11th and 12th..

For more information on the Hug, please contact savenyclibraries@gmail.com
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