Fwd: Library Sell-Offs Comptroller & Public Advocates candidates Forum Weds. AM + More

[Michael White]

I am resorting to something of an eblast to pass this word around and to ask for everyone' s help in getting the word around . . . so I apologize for any duplications that result.

But this issue, the sell-off, underfunding and shrinking of NYC's libraries to generate real estate deals is very important.  If we can't stop them on libraries where can we stop them?

Two things are very important that can be done right now:

1.)  Come to and get word out about the Wednesday AM candidates forum (info below) at the Macolm X Shabazz Center.  I think the results of last Friday's mayoral forum (online- link below) show how important these events are in influencing the debate and candidates' positions.

2.)  Sign the petition and send it around.  (Do you have to live in NYC to sign? No; It's good when our signatures are from NYC, but the Central Reference Library at 42nd Street where the research stacks will be removed is a world class institution and national treasure.  Besides, we find that signers in Texas cause their NYC friends to sign.)   

MICHAEL D. D. WHITE
Noticing New York
http://noticingnewyork.blogspot.com/
National Notice
http://nationalnotice.blogspot.com/
W: (718) 834-6184
C: (917) 885-1478
mddw...@aol.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Citizens Defending Libraries <backp...@aol.com>
To: MDDWhite <MDDW...@aol.com>; nidiacota <nidi...@gmail.com>; cemac62 <cem...@aol.com>; annebklyn <anne...@gmail.com>; mr29 <mr...@nyu.edu>; lucy.koteen <lucy....@gmail.com>
Sent: Mon, Sep 2, 2013 5:57 pm
Subject: Library Sell-Offs Comptroller & Public Advocates candidates Forum Weds. AM + More

There is a lot of news to pass along about the sell-off of NYC's public libraries (and please help to get the word around).

Please come and join us for this important event!  (Flyer and Media Advisory Attached in PDF)

PUBLIC ADVOCATE AND COMPTROLLER
FORUM ON PUBLIC LIBRARIES!
Wednesday, September 4th
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, seating begins 9:30 a.m., first come first serve
The Malcolm X and Dr Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center
3940 Broadway, New York City 10032
A, C or 1 subway to 168th Street,
half block south of subway stop, just past Dallas BBQ

Moderator: Roy Paul, Journalist, Commentator, and Analyst
(see more about him on the Facebook page, link below) 

Public Advocate Candidates invited (all Democrats):
   * Cathy Guerriero
   * Tish James
   * Reshma Saujani
   * Daniel Squadron
   * Sidique Wai

Comptroller Candidates invited:
   * John Burnett (R)
   * Eliot Spitzer (D)
   * Scott Stringer (D)

Sponsors: Citizens Defending Libraries; The Committee to Save The New York Public Library; The Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center; The Harlem Historical Society; Lynn’s Kids International, and Mid-Manhattan Branch of the NAACP.
 

Here is the facebook link for the event:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1384674411762345/

 

Here is the moveon link for the event:    

http://civic.moveon.org/event/events/event.html?event_id=139548

New Book relating to the cause: Lynn's Kids International and Lynn Rosen's book on the importance of libraries! 
What The Libraries Mean To Us
includes letters from Brooklyn kids, currently selling on Amazon, proceeds go to help save libraries.  Lynn says its "selling like crazy" and will be a kindle book soon.
http://www.amazon.com/What-Our-Libraries-Mean-Us/dp/1491278153/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1375891300&sr=1-1&keywords=Lynn+Rosen.+What+the+Libraries+Mean

Here is the link about last Friday morning's Mayoral forum on these library issues (podcast, pictures, quotes from candidates including Quinn and de Blasio, with video coming):

*   Mayoral Forum on Libraries Held August 30, 2013 

http://citizensdefendinglibraries.blogspot.com/2013/08/mayoral-forum-on-libraries-held-august.html

Breaking News: New and important Articles

*   Naked Capitalism 

Barbarians at the Gates of the New York Public Library, By Lambert Strether of Corrente. August 30, 2013

http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2013/08/barbarians-at-the-gates-of-the-new-york-public-library.html

*  The Nation

The Hidden History of New York City’s Central Library Plan: Why did one of the world’s greatest libraries adopt a $300 million transformation without any real public debate?, by Scott Sherman, August 28, 2013   

http://www.thenation.com/article/175966/hidden-history-new-york-citys-central-library-plan?page=0,0#axzz2dMMWgGrL

*  The Brooklyn Eagle/The Huffington Post

OPINION: Shrinking the library system is a loss for New Yorkers, By Letitia James, For Brooklyn Daily Eagle, August 29, 2013,

http://www.brooklyneagle.com/articles/opinion-shrinking-library-system-loss-new-yorkers-2013-08-29-123000

Meanwhile, please remember that we are in the middle of an effort to double our petition signatures , now approcahing 14,000 with over 13,000 signatures on the web (link to the petition below) and will be issuing more information about the candidates' positions before the primaries.

Petition:

Save New York City Libraries From Bloomberg Developer Destruction

http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/save-new-york-city-libraries?source=c.em.mt&r_by=6817161

I hope to see you at the forum on Wednesday!

Citizens Defending Libraries
(718) 797-5207
http://citizensdefendinglibraries.blogspot.com
@DefendLibraries on twitter
backp...@aol.com