The New York City Council hearing on libraries pressed for more permanent funding after the mayor's executive budget added one-time money but did not fully baseline the systems' needs.

Councilmember Justin Brannan, chair of the Committee on Finance, opened the joint hearing by noting the administration's FY26 executive plan proposed $496.8 million for the three library systems and that the systems together represent less than 1% of the city's $115.1 billion executive plan. He said the $15.7 million the mayor added to libraries' operating support in the executive budget was welcome but not baselined.

Why it matters: Library leaders said the systems still face a persistent gap between demand and resources that is producing staffing shortages, unexpected closures and deferred maintenance. The three systems asked the council to baseline additional operating funding to cover uncovered wage growth, health insurance, and other rising costs and to adopt a larger, 10-year capital commitment to address aging infrastructure.

Brooklyn Public Library President and CEO Linda Johnson said the $15.7 million in the executive budget is a welcome restoration but not a baseline. "If the city does not cover and baseline our existing $12,400,000 in unmet needs, we cannot stabilize staffing, invest in our collections, or ensure consistent service across our branches," Johnson told the committees. She described steep capital shortfalls, saying Brooklyn's unfunded capital needs exceed $400 million, including urgent projects for roofs, HVAC and accessibility upgrades.

Tony Marks, president and CEO of The New York Public Library, told council members the three systems are doing "more, so much more for all New Yorkers with less." NYPL reported a FY26 capital ask of $485 million and said the $75.3 million the administration proposed for the system addresses only a fraction of its needs.

Dennis Walcott, president and CEO of Queens Public Library, echoed the call for baseline funding and highlighted service and staffing pressures in Queens' branches.

Union and worker testimony backed those concerns. DC37 and local union representatives described underpayments and long-standing staffing shortfalls that contribute to service disruptions. John Hislop of DC37 said libraries remain understaffed and underpaid and urged the council to secure consistent funding.

Numbers and asks: The council's preliminary budget response called on the administration to baseline $62.5 million for the three systems beginning in FY26, including $44.8 million for unmet expense needs and $2.0 million to expand 7‑day service to additional branches. Library leaders reiterated the $44.8 million unmet expense figure and said the systems also face a combined capital gap—figures cited in testimony ranged from roughly $345 million for FY26 alone to 10‑year capital asks on the order of $1.1–$1.4 billion for the systems.

Operational impacts: Library witnesses said shortages have led to program wait lists, longer holds on materials and unplanned closures. Brooklyn Public Library reported 102 unplanned delays and closures in FY24 attributable to staffing shortages; some witnesses said library staff are increasingly doing unpaid overtime and taking on extra shifts to cover vacancies.

Capital process and delivery: Witnesses described slow reimbursement, project shortfalls with the Department of Design and Construction and the costs of emergency repairs when planned capital work is delayed. NYPL and Brooklyn Public Library cited specific renovation projects in progress and argued that an adequate 10‑year capital commitment would allow more comprehensive, cost‑effective overhauls rather than piecemeal emergency repairs.

Councilmember questions focused on equitable distribution of restored hours and services, vacancy counts and how the systems prioritize branch hours. Systems said they use a mix of usage metrics, neighborhood need, proximity to schools and other factors to target service expansions and capital work.

What the hearing did not decide: The hearing recorded testimony and council requests but did not include any formal votes. Council members signaled intent to press for more funding in negotiations with the administration.

Looking ahead: Library heads said rapid cost inflation and delayed capital work increase the total price of repairs and renovations over time; they asked the council for a baseline funding commitment so systems can plan hires and sustained services.

Quotes (selected): "Libraries are our nation's most democratic spaces," Linda Johnson said. "The public relies on us to be open when we say we will be open." Tony Marks said the systems "are doing more, so much more for all New Yorkers with less." Councilmember Justin Brannan said, "In a city with a budget as big as ours, keeping the libraries open 7 days a week should not be some big victory."