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Community Board 3 (Manhattan) Community Board 3 (Manhattan) has five branches of the New York Public Library (NYPL) system: Chatham Square, Hamilton Fish, Ottendorfer, Seward Park, and Tompkins Square.Key FactorsAccording to NYPL statistics (below), in Fiscal Year 2018 the libraries in CB 3 had 975,037 visits.Manhattan Community Board 3BranchVisitsProgram AttendanceChatham Square Branch261,90944,215Hamilton Fish Park Branch151,30916,687Ottendorfer Branch130,18324,791Seward Park Branch293,177 64,675Tompkins Square Branch138,45927,168Totals 975,037177,536Founded in 1895, The New York Public Library is the nation’s largest public library system, featuring a unique combination of 88 neighborhood branches throughout the Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island as well as four scholarly research centers. Through both our physical locations and online presence, the Library offers all people – regardless of wealth, background, birthplace, or beliefs – free access to books, knowledge and education. In these times of unparalleled change, our public libraries are more essential than ever before. They make us stronger by inspiring discussion and debate, by supporting truth and knowledge, and by leveling the educational playing field. They open doors of opportunity that would otherwise be closed. With programming ranging from early literacy classes and technology training, to citizenship assistance and English language courses, as well as unlimited access to free internet and laptops and computers; NYPL consistently provides a depth and breadth of free, essential services that simply cannot be matched. These programs are extremely important to residents, especially our immigrant, elderly and underserved communities, as they often cannot otherwise afford access to commercial alternatives.NYPL maintains many successful partnerships with the City to ensure that we are providing the most comprehensive programming possible. Currently, we partner with the Department of Homeless Services, the Department of Education, the Department of Youth and Community Development, NYCHA and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, just to name a few. NYPL has also joined with the City Council to bring video visitation services and ESOL classes to Rikers Island, and to expand early literacy with the City’s First Readers initiative. Finally, MyLibraryNYC is a longstanding and successful partnership with the City’s libraries and NYC Department of Education aimed at expanding resources and services in NYC schools.FY 20 Budget Priorities? With the support of the City Council and the Administration libraries were able to continue to make significant gains. In FY19 libraries were allocated an additional $60 million in capital funding to work toward maintaining and improving our infrastructure. Additionally, we received nearly $16 million in expense funding; this is the first time in three years that libraries received additional expense funds. These increases will allow the City’s three library systems to sustain six day service at all branches and provide our patrons with the functional, inspiring spaces they deserve.? As you know, libraries are often the first place that communities turn to for help and information, and our branches are uniquely positioned to provide relevant and up to date information to New York’s most vulnerable populations. Libraries are a place for learning and for safe and open access to information. In an effort to continue to support our most vulnerable New Yorkers we are urging the City in FY20 to increase or maintain expense funding from FY19 so that all neighborhoods and communities in our city have access to a library six days a week. ?The libraries also seek to be included in the City’s ten-year capital plan in FY20 as well as the out-years.? The NYPL will continue to work with the Mayor, Speaker, City Council, Borough Presidents and local elected officials to increase capital funding which will allow us to upgrade and maintain our buildings. We urge CB 3 (Manhattan) to make capital funding for libraries one of your district priorities. ???? For additional information please contact:George Mihaltses, VP for Government and Community AffairsTelephone: 212.930.0051, Email: georgemihaltses@ Norah Yahya, Associate Director, Government and Community AffairsTelephone: 212.621.0657, Email: norahyahya@ ................
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