Mamdani: It's time to stop asking libraries to justify their existence

Added: 2026-05-25

[00:00:00]It is time we stop asking our libraries to justify their existence. It is time for us to expand what New Yorkers can expect from core government services.

[00:00:10]Earlier this week, we released our executive budget. In doing so, we spoke of how a budget is a reflection of the vision we have for this city, of what we choose to materially support, what we choose to let wither. And our executive budget reflects a clear set of choices.

[00:00:25]City Hall believes in our public library system. We are funding our public library system. And instead of fighting to maintain the same floor year after year, we will see how high we can raise that ceiling.

[00:00:38]Our executive budget baselines $31.7 million in new permanent funding across all three of New York City's public library systems.