Bed-Stuy Library Will Close On Sundays After Budget Cuts

BED-STUY, NY — Bed-Stuy's Macon library will no longer be open on Sundays thanks to mid-year budget cuts proposed last week.

Library officials on Thursday said a new round of budget cuts — slashing over $23 million in library expenditures — will mean reduced "spending on library materials, programming, and building maintenance and repairs" and the elimination of Sunday at most branches.

The library on Lewis Avenue and Macon Street is just one of eight public libraries across Brooklyn that will shut its doors on Sundays starting on Dec. 17.

Sunday service will continue from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. through Dec. 17.

"Without sufficient funding, we cannot sustain our current levels of service, and any further cuts to the Libraries’ budgets will, unfortunately, result in deeper service impacts," library representatives said Thursday.

Libraries have fought impending budget cuts for months now. The library was spared from additional cuts — on top of an already potential $36 million slash — after multiple rallies earlier this year.

"This is after a summer budget fight where we were assured critical funding, from sanitation to libraries, would be protected," said City Council Member Shahana Hanif. "These cuts are unacceptable."

Many New Yorkers, including Bronx-native rapper Cardi B, have since voiced concern about the loss of library services.

"Where these kids are gonna go?" Cardi B said in a livestream Sunday.

The full list of affected Brooklyn libraries include:

• Borough Park
• Brooklyn Heights
• Central
• Greenpoint
• Kings Highway
• Macon
• Midwood
• New Lots