Book it! Mamdani baselines funding in budget for NYC public libraries, but falls short of campaign goal

Mayor Zohran Mamdaniput it in the books” on Friday by announcing a permanent baseline of funding for the city’s three public library systems in his executive budget.

The $31.7 million baseline, Hizzoner said, seeks to no longer treat the New York, Queens and Brooklyn Public Libraries as a “bargaining chip” in annual city budget negotiations that leave the systems’ ability to hire staff and operate in limbo.