Schlechte Nachrichten aus New York:

The most severe budget cut ever faced by The New York Public Library was announced on May 6 as part of the Mayor’s Executive Budget. ”The proposed cut of $36,800,000 is even worse than the cuts to the Library in the 1970s, when New York was on the brink of bankruptcy,” Library President Paul LeClerc said.

“If funding is not restored we will be forced to drastically reduce critical library services for New Yorkers. Ten libraries would have to close; those that remain open would have their hours reduced to an average of just 4 days per week. The cut would also result in the loss of 736 staff positions–36% of our workforce. Today record numbers of New Yorkers are relying on their libraries for free job information, Internet access, computer classes, business information, after-school programs, and much more. This budget would force us to reduce or eliminate services at the time they are needed most. That’s why we look forward to working with the City Council and the Mayor to restore funding for libraries.” (Pressemitteilung vom 6.Mai)

Mittlerweile stecke ich mitten in der zweiten von sechs Praktikumswochen in der Music Division der New York Public Library for the Performing Arts (danach geht es noch fuer zwei Wochen in die Musikabteilung der Library of Congress). Obwohl Internetzugang in meiner Unterkunft so eine Sache ist, versuche ich regelmaessig ueber das Praktikum und meine sonstigen Erfahrungen zu bloggen.

Central Park