The New York Public Library Accepts $1 Million for Programs, Services, and Collections Relating to 9/11 from NASDAQ's Disaster Relief Fund

Libraries Closest to World Trade Center Site are Chief Beneficiaries

$1 Million Check Presented to NYPL at Market Close on Anniversary of 9/11

 

 

New York City, September 16, 2002 -- The New York Public Library has accepted a $1 million grant from the NASDAQ Disaster Relief Fund, which was established by NASDAQ employees, families, friends, and NASDAQ listed companies, to provide assistance and services to people directly affected by September 11. NASDAQ Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Hardwick (Wick) Simmons presented $3 million from the fund to eight organizations in New York City, including The New York Public Library, at market close on September 11, 2002.

The $1 million grant to The New York Public Library will be used solely for services, collections, and programs relating to September 11 recovery provided by NYPL’s network of 85 branch libraries located throughout Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island. The two branches located closest to the World Trade Center site, the New Amsterdam and the Chatham Square Libraries, will be the primary beneficiaries.

“At a time when The New York Public Library is facing reduced public funding, delivery of essential services becomes ever more challenging,” said Dr. Paul LeClerc, President of The New York Public Library. “This generous support from NASDAQ will allow the Library to expand resources and services to assist adults, children and teens in distress, as well as job seekers and businesses affected by the tragedy and ensuing economic downturn.”

“The New York Public Library is in an excellent position to offer education and services directly to those people who were affected by the attacks and who need it the most,” said Joan Conley, a member of the NASDAQ Disaster Relief Fund Board. “NASDAQ is pleased to have the opportunity to donate the money to The New York Public Library and these two downtown branches in support of survivor programs for children.”

“The New York Public Library plays a vital role in bringing New Yorkers together and providing people with the information they need. This fact became very clear following September 11 when people flocked to libraries to access job and health information, to contact loved ones through e-mail, to check out books, and to attend programs related to the tragedy,” said Mary K. Conwell, Director of The Branch Libraries. “While attendance suffered greatly at nearly all New York City venues in the days, weeks, and months following the World Trade Center attacks, the exact opposite happened at NYPL. Since September 11, Library circulation is up 12% and attendance is up 19%.”

 

 

A portion of the NASDAQ Disaster Relief grant will go to the Chatham Square Regional Branch, located at 33 East Broadway, and the New Amsterdam Branch, at 9 Murray Street, because of their proximity to the World Trade Center site. NYPL will add collections, provide programming, and create a wireless technology training environment which will accommodate classes on careers, health, and computer training for the public in the surrounding area. Since much of the career and job information is only available electronically, the portable technology will enable the two branches to offer more programs to more people.

The remainder of the grant will go towards continuing many of the vital programs that NYPL developed in response to community needs after 9/11. These programs and services will be offered throughout NYPL’s 85 branches and they include:

• Comforting programs for children: Since last September, the Library has held children’s programs that focused on dealing with uncertainty and loss. These supportive programs range from storytelling on topics such as “Stories of Spirit and Courage,” “Stories to Nourish the Heart,” and “Safe in the Magic Garden,” to art programs to teach children to create stories and books about their feelings. Since one out of every ten children in New York City is experiencing post traumatic stress syndrome, continuing these programs is a major priority for the Library and the communities it serves.
  
  
• Grief programs for adults: Special programs, conducted by mental health professionals, on coping in times of traumatic stress, loss, and uncertainty are also in demand. The aim of these sessions is to help adults understand and differentiate between normal, expectable responses to stress, loss, and grief and those responses that require and would benefit from medical and/or psychological intervention.
  
  
• Writing workshops for teenagers and adults: The Library’s writing programs are helpful for teenagers and adults who are using writing as an outlet for their expressions of anxiety, grief, and loss. The value of writing as a therapeutic activity can be seen in the Library’s Wordsmiths online journal. Immediately after September 11, teenagers began posting poems and prose on Wordsmiths, and a special edition, “Remember September 11,” was created. Additional writing programs will be added to address long-term feelings of fear and loss.
  
  
• Purchases of materials related to health information resources: The Library will add a significant amount of materials to its holdings in specific health topics to serve residents coping with stress, death and dying, and environmental concerns. These materials would be available in a number of different languages as appropriate to the various communities served by different branches.
  
  
• Job information and financial education programs for adults: The Library will offer programs that explore career counseling and financial planning resources available to people affected by September 11. Classes will range from resume building to researching mutual funds.

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The New York Public Library offers a wide variety of free programs for adults, young adults, and children at all 85 of its branches, located throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island. Visit the Library’s web site at www.nypl.org for further information.

Contact: Jennifer Bertrand, 212-221-7676

 

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