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LibraryPAC Launches in NYC

Date: December 10, 2024 

Contact: Jen Manley

Jen@jenmanley.com | 718-915-6302

LibraryPAC Launches in NYC 

The first of its kind in a US City, the political action committee will endorse and financially support candidates for local offices who commit to providing robust and rational financial support for the City’s libraries and fully supporting public libraries and librarians under siege for practicing the values of inclusivity and access. 

NEW YORK CITY—Today, the organizers of a new political action committee announced its formal launch.

The purpose of the PAC, which is a registered entity in the State of New York, is to aid in the election of City leaders who will demonstrate material support for NYC’s libraries, their patrons and their staff through their votes, actions and commitments. LibraryPAC aims to hold current and aspiring elected leaders to new standards of support, both in the process of funding public libraries’ operating and capital needs and in standing up for the values that libraries embody and communities rely on.

LibraryPAC is now taking donations and is chiefly focused on the 2025 Mayoral race, the two citywide races for Comptroller and Public Advocate, and NYC Council Seats. LibraryPAC will be soliciting responses to a survey in the Spring of 2025 and will factor those responses into its endorsements and campaign contributions to candidates.

LibraryPAC was founded by a group of former library staff, advocates and national leaders including:

• Chair: David Woloch, former Executive Vice President for External Affairs, Brooklyn Public Library
• Treasurer: Emily Drabinski, former President, American Library Association and current Associate Professor, Queens College
• Secretary: Lauren Comito, Executive Director, Urban Librarians Unite and local public librarian
• Steering Committee Founding Member: Jen Manley, President Park&K Public Affairs, former Vice President for Government and Community Affairs, Queens Library and current Chair, Urban Librarians Unite

Statement from David Woloch, Chair and Emily Drabinski, Treasurer:

“In this critical moment, when our public libraries have never been more vital and their values more under threat, it is time to flex as much advocacy muscle as possible to reimagine long-standing funding models and elevate political leaders committed to doing more than just maintaining the status quo.” 

“We believe that this new independent force for libraries, through endorsements and campaign dollars, will amplify the many voices citywide who all agree we need strong, well funded and sustainable public libraries. We look forward to supporting candidates for elected office regardless of party affiliation, who will be committed to a new standard of support for our shared treasure of the public library.”

Public support for libraries nationally and in NYC is overwhelming. Libraries are consistently rated as the most trustworthy institutions in civic life and multitudes of surveys over time show Americans view their public library as a benefit to their community. New Yorkers use their libraries in every community. In FY24, every borough’s library leaders reported upwards trends over the last 3 years in circulation, visits, and programs.

It is no surprise then that over 90 percent of respondents to a citywide survey indicated libraries are “important to New York City (93%)”, “further many important initiatives for New York City (95%), and are a cornerstone of all New York City communities (93%). Similarly, over 84% agree that “libraries should receive an increase in funding.”

Despite this overwhelming public support, and years of hard-won budget fights by City elected officials, the difficult reality is that NYC funding is not keeping up with what New Yorkers need and deserve from their public libraries. Since 2008, more often than not, libraries have faced budget reductions. While they have largely prevailed in reversing those proposed cuts, the process itself is harmful, and at the end of the day, funding has remained stable at best. In the meantime, rising operating costs and changing trends in digital lending require a deeper investment.

LibraryPAC is committed to ushering in a new generation of leaders willing to end the budget dance, and take a new approach to funding libraries that will be responsive to the growing demand and needs of New Yorkers who rely on them. LIbraryPAC welcomes all to learn more and join the cause at www.libraryPAC.nyc 

ABOUT LibraryPAC: 

LibraryPAC is a registered Political Action Committee in New York City whose purpose is to endorse and financially support candidates for local and state elected office in NYC who believe in the value and potential of libraries to improve the lives of all New Yorkers and subscribe to the principles of robust, equitable and well funded libraries in the city of New York. As a registered PAC in New York City, LibraryPAC abides by the rules of the City of New York's Campaign Finance Board and New York State Public Campaign Finance Board. LibraryPAC believes in the values of Transparency, Non-Partisanship and Inclusivity. For more information visit www.LibraryPAC.nyc