In 2008, the New York Public Library sold the Donnell Public Library building to a private developer. The New York Public Library is also considering selling the Mid-Manhattan Library building and the Science, Industry and Business Library building. The Brooklyn Public Library is contemplating selling the Pacific Library building and the Brooklyn Heights Library building. This hearing will examine the practice of public library systems in the City of New York selling buildings that contain libraries. This hearing will also examine the impact those sales have had or may have on the library and the services it provides to the surrounding community.

Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committee at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to 10 minutes' duration. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible.

Twenty copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Committee's interest in hearing testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

Micah Z. Kellner
Member of Assembly
Chairman
Committee on Libraries and Education Technology

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Persons wishing to present testimony at the public hearing on The Sale of Public Library Buildings in New York City are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail, email or fax it to: