“As we get closer to a finalized state budget, it’s essential our state’s libraries receive the funding they need to successfully operate and serve our communities. Our libraries aren’t just a place to check out books, they are community hubs that provide immensely critical resources to all of our residents.

“As many legislators have expressed their support for libraries across our state as we celebrate Library Week, I’m urging Gov. Hochul, Speaker Heastie, and Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins to put their words into action by including necessary funding the final state budget for libraries including,

• $123.1M for State Library Aid;
• $45M for Library Construction Aid;
• $1.2M for DEI Efforts in Libraries;
• $150,000 released from the Love Your Library Fund;
• Allocation for the Digital Inclusion Grant;
• Increases for the Schomburg Center & Langston Hughes Community Library.”