Proposal: Brooklyn Public Library
Introduction
The Brooklyn Library seeks to empower the Brooklyn community through education, humanitarian services, guidance on practical every day and social issues, and the fostering of personal pursuits and interests. Although it currently is serving the needs of residents, there are many other educational and social issues that require an enhancement of services to improve lives. Additional funding would enable the library to better accommodate those with special challenges in survival, language skills, the lack of social support, and technology.
The Brooklyn Public Library has fifty-eight branches throughout Brooklyn. The branch that I go to is the Ulmer Park branch. It is open from 10 AM to 6 PM on Monday, 1 PM to 8 PM on Tuesday, 10 AM to 6 PM on Wednesday, 10 AM to 8 PM on Thursday, 10 AM to 6 PM on Friday, and 10 AM to 5 PM on Saturday. It is closed Sunday. The library’s website is available 24/7 and it has many programs or apps for individuals to use, especially for research. The library also has activities and events that it hosts. My branch Ulmer Park would benefit from additional funding and services.
The mission statement is “to ensure the preservation and transmission of society’s knowledge, history and culture, and to provide the people of Brooklyn with free and open access to information for education, recreation and reference”. BPL’s vision is to “be a vital center of knowledge for all, accessible 24 hours a day, and… a leader in traditional and innovative library services which reflect the diverse and dynamic spirit of the people of Brooklyn.”
Background and Problem
The Brooklyn Public Library, the result of an 1892 act, grew to be one of America’s largest library systems with 59 locations serving a borough of 2.6 million people. In the early 20th century, Andrew Carnegie gave a $1.6 million donation that helped the BPL. Today, it has nearly 700,000 active cardholders. BPL has had 7.9 million visits to their branches. It has offered over 72,000 free programs, with over 1.2 million attendees. A total of 95,000 hours has been done by volunteers. At the library branches, you can borrow and read books, volunteer, get help with things like taxes and schoolwork, improve your English, use electronics, and attend special events.
The Brooklyn Public Library is a library system based in the borough Brooklyn. There are three library systems in New York. Queens Public Library is in Queens and New York Public Library is in Manhattan, Bronx, and Staten Island. There have been 7.9 million visits to the branches of BPL. Although very successful, Brooklyn Public Library would benefit from increased funding, an expansion of learning, more cultural and entertainment activities, a more effective, easy-to-understand online research guide, and promotional materials such as a handbook. BPL doesn’t have all the funding it could have. Any nonprofit could use more funding. People learn at BPL but the learning could be better. The library hosts events but it is not many events. People don’t really have a guide to help them understand online research. They would benefit if they knew exactly how you could research online using Brooklyn Public Library’s website. The BPL is not as well known as it could be. They need promotional materials such as handbooks, fliers, ads, and emails.
Solution and Deliverables
BPL could use more money to fund the library. They would get that money through fundraising and asking the government for more money. Money would improve the library. Money would allow the library to purchase materials, hire people, make it more well known, and improve its services. Money will lead to funding for more events. People hired would make things like posters or guides or do things like teach or tutor or entertain for the BPL. BPL could train its staff and volunteers more thoroughly. A more knowledgeable staff would lead to patrons getting better services which would enhance their experiences. Librarians and tutors would be more experienced and knowledgeable. The BPL could hire a technician or designer to make its website better than it already. However, it can be said that the website is already decent.
Implementation
Brooklyn Public Library will host bake sales, sell used books, partner with schools for donations, email people for donations and ask the government for more money. The schools that Brooklyn Public Library partners with will get a special afterschool program in the library that students and their parents can attend if they want to. By asking the government I mean asking Mayor de Blasio or Speaker Johnson or Majority Leader Cumbo or Libraries Chair Van Bramer or Finance Chair Dromm. We will also ask for foundation grants. Also, Brooklyn Public Library will get people to visit its website to see all the ways they can help or participate.
Schedule
The timeline for this project can be divided and projected as follows:
Phase one- Create teams for promotion, web design, researching, volunteer coordination, aiding events, and contacting people (especially those in power like the mayor). (One week.)
Phase two- Establish the goals of the proposal and come up with ideas on how to gain resources for the library. (Two weeks.)
Phrase three- Build a database or list of possible donors and helpers for the library. (Two weeks.)
Phase four- Get feedback from teams on their progress. (One week.)
Phase five- Refine goals based on phase four aka team feedback. (One week.)
Phase six- Final review and launch. (One week.)
References
“About Brooklyn Public Library.” Brooklyn Public Library, 20 Apr. 2021, https://www.bklynlibrary.org/about.
The Council of the City of New York. https://council.nyc.gov/budget/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2021/03/035-039-Libraries.pdf.
“Discover Your City with Culture Pass.” Culture Pass, https://www.culturepass.nyc/?utm_source=nav_menu&utm_medium=website_bpl&utm_campaign=culturepass_bpl.
Appendices
My name is Amy Gong. I was born and raised in New York City. I attended school and graduated at P.S. 101 The Verrazano School, I.S. 98 The Bay Academy, and Manhattan High School At Beacon High School. I currently attend New York City College of Technology or City Tech. My major is Technical Writing. I love reading, traveling, and learning. I have work experience mostly with SYEP or Summer Youth Employment program. I have technical training and writing expertise.
Amy Gong
141 Bay 40th Street Brooklyn, NY 11214 (917)-776-8629 amygong242000@gmail.com
Profile
Creative team player. Enjoys learning. Willing to put in extra time. Driven. Likes helping the Earth. Easygoing. Caring. Calm.
Education
Manhattan High School @ Beacon High School Manhattan, NY
High School Program (Regents Endorsement) June 2018
New York City College of Technology Brooklyn, NY
*Current GPA: 3.369 (Major: Liberal Arts) Attending currently
Skills
Data Analysis
Teamwork
Adaptability
Patience
Leadership
Listen well
Self-motivation
Ability to Work Under Pressure
Language: English and Cantonese (Chinese) (basic)
Experience
Program- Summer Youth Employment Program (Manhattan High School P35M)
School Secretary
*Office work (running errands, sorting, taking care of papers)
Program- Work, learn, and grow (Manhattan High School P35M)
School Secretary and Supervisor
*Observed and monitored students
*Put supplies where they need to be
*Fill out papers and do paperwork
*Maintain library
*Make copies
*Assisting teachers
Volunteer-Read Ahead
Volunteer
*Read aloud to a child
*Did activities with a child.(Example coloring, writing, making art)
Program-Summer Youth Employment Program (Clarifai) 2020 Summer
Labeler
*Labeled pictures
Program- Summer Youth employment Program 2021 Summer
Professional training Development
