Two more public libraries in the Bronx reinstate Sunday service
Following public outcry, the New York City Council and mayor's office say they were able to come to an agreement to restore all of the funding in June, meaning that Sunday hours were also able to return.
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Ten more public libraries around New York City, including two in the Bronx, reinstated their Sunday hours this weekend after budget cuts had forced them to close one day a week late last year.
Following public outcry, the New York City Council and mayor's office say they were able to come to an agreement to restore all the funding to the libraries in June, meaning that Sunday hours were also able to return.
"I think it's great," said Miguel Castellanos, who came to the Bronx Library Center in Fordham from his home in West Farms. "A lot of people need this time in the library on Sundays. This is a great help for the community."
Library officials were also happy to be back, with the Bronx Library Center's manager, Lakiska Brown, telling News 12 "we're grateful for New Yorkers and the fact they were able to help us write these letters to the mayor, and that he was able to understand how New Yorkers really appreciate their branches being open."
The Parkchester Library brought back its Sunday service first, reopening from 1-5 p.m. in July.
This weekend, the other two libraries in Bronx that had lost their Sunday hours followed suit, with The Bronx Library Center reopening on Sundays from 12-6 p.m. and the Grand Concourse Library reopening from 1-5 p.m. - the exact same Sunday hours all had before the closings.
The timing ended up being perfect for Maria Torres and her two kids from Fordham.
"The weather changed all our plans, so the fact that the library is open, it's wonderful," she said.
With the start of the new school year just a few weeks away, Brown says the extra day is also important.
"All of the branches have the summer programs for the summer reading. This helps to prevent that summer slide so that when they do start school again, they're on point," she said.
The library says they plan to offer programs for children and teenagers every Sunday going forward.
