Library Workers Demand More Funding In Newark City Budget

NEWARK, NJ — More than 100 people rallied at City Hall this week to demand more funding for the Newark Public Library in this year’s municipal budget.

The Newark City Council met on Thursday to hold a budget hearing on a proposed spending plan that could result in a tax hike for local homeowners (watch meeting footage here). See Related: Newark City Budget May Come With Tax Increase

They were greeted by dozens of workers, union members and community activists, each with a common goal: avoid another “flat” budget for the library system of New Jersey’s largest city.

Union leaders with AFSCME Local 2298 – which represents the bulk of the staff at the Newark Public Library, including librarians, library associates/assistants, maintenance and IT workers – laid out their demands in a statement prior to the rally.

They wrote:

“Since 2007, the budget of Newark Public Library has been cut by 25 percent – 48.6 percent factoring in inflation – which has affected both its workers and community services. Since 2007, two branches of the library have closed, Roseville and Clinton. Additionally, two storefront branches, First Avenue and Madison Avenue, have been closed. Hours were also cut, with branches closed on Mondays, and all libraries closed on Sundays. Newark Public Library workers are not making a living wage, many of whom have worked full time at the library for 20+ years. Due to rising living costs, and skyrocketing Newark rents, our workers cannot afford to live in the city they work. Salaries are significantly lower than surrounding libraries like Jersey City, and up to 56 percent below salary recommendations from the New Jersey Library Association.”

The workers have launched an online petition to city officials, which can be seen here.

“We believe our workers deserve a living wage … and the community deserves a world-class library,” union spokespeople said.

According to AFSCME Local 2298, the library also needs more money to pay for a range of essential services to the community, such as ESL classes, speakers, a social worker, historical archives, computer classes, sewing classes and business services.

The library workers got support from AFSCME NJ, the Newark Water Coalition, Ironbound Community Corporation, North NJ DSA, Rutgers AAUP and PTL, New Labor, People’s Organization for Progress (POP), the National Action Network (NAN) Brick City Chapter and other groups.

The effort also saw support from local advocates such as Larry Hamm of the POP, a recent U.S. Senate candidate.

“This is a city that says it celebrates culture, arts and education,” Hamm said. “If that’s true then support the institution that symbolizes education and culture and arts and development.”

In the wake of the rally, the council voted to postpone a decision on the city budget so that library and city administrators could get a chance to meet and discuss the situation.

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