It’s no secret that libraries are getting squeezed by repeated budget crises (threatened cuts, then partially restored funding, over several years adds up to libraries that spend more and more time closed). New York City’s proposed budget is yet again threatening big cuts to library funding, in a city where already 30% of libraries are closed on Saturday and only 8 (!) are open on Sunday. And I’m always interested in how places index their own fiscal misery:
“In fact New York City’s libraries already rank well behind Columbus, Ohio; San Antonio, Tex.; Toronto; Chicago and Detroit in average hours per week,” said Linda Johnson, president and CEO of the Brooklyn Public Library.
Yes, even behind Detroit.