Release: Avella Applauds Queens Library Budget Meeting

(QUEENS, NY) State Senator Tony Avella today applauded the Queens Public Library for holding its first-ever public budget hearing, cementing a major step in library reform.

The meeting, which was held Monday night at the Flushing branch at 41-17 Main Street, was a direct result of Senator Avella’s hard-fought agreement in the State Legislature last June on Queens Public Library reform. An annual public budget hearing was one of two vital provisions that Senator Avella called for in addition to making the library subject to state and city Freedom of Information laws. 

During the meeting, the board discussed its $142.4 million budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year. This proposal includes expenses such as technology, operating costs, fundraising expenses, new books and other library materials and running community programs.

“Yesterday’s hearing begins a new era in transparency and fiscal responsibility for the Queens Public Library. Holding public meetings proves there is nothing to hide and can help ensure that our libraries are administered in an efficient and transparent manner. I am thrilled to see that my hard work has come to fruition with this inaugural budget meeting and I look forward to helping restore the public’s faith in the integrity of our library system,” said Senator Avella.

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