NYC Public Library Action Network

It’s Budget Time in NYC

Illustration of a neo-classical building against a blue background. The NYC PLAN logo is at the top and there is text overlaying the image that reads "March 18th Fund Our Public Libraries Budget Meeting Register to Testify. More here: https://bit.ly/4b1ze3H"

It’s Budget Time in NYC

There was some hope that NYC public libraries might actually avoid the dreaded yearly budget dance this year.

Mayor Mamdani had committed to fund public libraries at 0.5% of the city expense budget during his campaign and reaffirmed this intention in December after he won. When the preliminary budget was released, libraries were funded at 0.39%, which broke his promise and is fully unacceptable.

Flyer with text that reads "Mayor Mamdani, keep your promise! Fund NYC public libraries at 0.5% of the city budget. Visit NYCPLAN.org for more information." The image is overlayed with photos of Mayor Mamdani looking a little exhausted

Get Involved

NYC Public Library Action Network (PLAN) is calling for NYC residents to take the following actions:

Join a budget rally on March 18 at 9 am at City Hall Park. You can testify in person, on zoom or submit a written statement. Details for how to do this are here: https://actionnetwork.org/events/budget-rally-for-nyc-libraries/

Send a short note to the Mayor telling him to honor his campaign promise: https://www.nyc.gov/mayors-office/contact-the-mayor

Please help us to spread the word through your communities. 

We are trying to get many more people in NYC to send a letter to their city council member demanding that they fully fund NYC libraries at 0.5% of the city expense budget: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/city-council-we-demand-half-a-percent-of-the-overall-city-budget-for-libraries – 

If you haven’t already done so, please call your city council member to tell them to fund NYC libraries at 0.5% of the city expense budget: https://nycplan.org/actions/call-your-city-councilmember/

Also on March 18, the city council will have a hearing on the preliminary budget for libraries. You can testify in person, on Zoom or submit a written statement. Details for how to do this are here: https://bit.ly/4b1ze3H 

On March 21, join NYC PLAN for a Library People’s Assembly in Queens: https://nycplan.org/peoples-assembly-march-21-2026/

Call to Action – Fund our Libraries

We hope that everyone will take concerted action and importantly also spread the word to others about all of the actions needed in this moment.

Our public libraries need increased and as importantly STABLE funding.

Send a letter

Want to know more about NYC PLAN?

Image of a flow chart, titled "How can I get involved?" It describes four tiers of involvement, depending on how much capacity you have to work, stay informed, or contribute resources. The tiers are: "Ally! - Connect with "for the people" - Subscribe to our newsletter" "Sponsor - Contribute space, print materials, or offer other resources - Donate funds to our work" "Network supporter - Attend meetings occasionally - Pitch in for time-sensitive actions like signing letters, attending hearings - Assist with events or campaigns when possible" "Active member! - Attend 4 all-hands meetings each year - Join & participate in a working group - Get involved in 1 time-bound event per year - Contribute sliding scale dues as able"

If you want to get more involved with NYC PLAN, we’d love to see you at our next meeting on November 16 from 1:30 to 4:15 pm in Brooklyn! Email info@nycplan.org and we’ll get back to you with more information.