Click for accessible search Skip Navigation

Posts by Ann Thornton

Open Doors, Open Minds: The New York Public Library During the Great Depression and Today’s Economic Crisis

by Ann Thornton, Acting Andrew W. Mellon Director of the New York Public Libraries
March 11, 2009

In July 2007, The New York Public Library was able to expand hours of service to at least six days per week at all of its locations, adding over 260 extra hours of service per week to its 91 library locations – hours that had not been available since budget cuts made after September 11, 2001. Funding from the 2007 New York City budget permitted the popular Bronx Library Center to be open from 9am to 9pm everyday, seven days a week. These hours are critical to users, especially now. As Dr. Paul LeClerc, President of The New York Public Library, said recently:

New Yorkers are facing a time of crisis, and we see people dealing with the ill effects of the economy in our 

Read More ›
1 comment

Patience and Fortitude: The New York Public Library During the Great Depression and Today’s Economic Crisis

by Ann Thornton, Acting Andrew W. Mellon Director of the New York Public Libraries
March 3, 2009

Today, library hours and services are threatened in municipalities across the country. New York is not exempt, particularly with the proposed City budget cuts. Yet we also read and watch various news reports about increased use of libraries during this current economic downturn. At The New York Public Library, we're seeing substantial changes in use. Not surprisingly, attendance and circulation are up. Attendance is up by 13% in the last year, and circulation has increased to 21.1 million in 2008, up from 17.2 million in 2007. Users are seeking information to help them through tough times and are also using the Library’s collections and programs as ways to escape from it 

Read More ›
3 comments

Chat with a librarian now