Sunday service starts again at NYC libraries after budget cuts restored

NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) – Public libraries across New York City will once again open on Sundays after budget cuts reduced hours last year. 

On Sunday, a handful of libraries celebrated the return of Sunday hours across the Brooklyn, Queens and New York Public Library systems. All libraries that used to have Sunday service will reopen by August 4.

Budget cuts shaved off Sunday hours in November 2023. The full $58.3 million library budget was restored in Mayor Eric Adams’ 2025 fiscal year budget, the mayor announced in late June.  

“The cuts that we experienced should have never occurred,” said City Council Member Crystal Hudson, whose district includes Brooklyn's Central Library.

The initial cuts faced immense pushback from locals. In Brooklyn alone, some 30,000 people reached out to city officials about library budget cuts, according to president of Brooklyn Public Library Linda E. Johnson.

“Over the past several months, New Yorkers have made it abundantly clear that they love and need their libraries,” said Anthony Marx, President of The New York Public Library.

The following New York City libraries have already reopened for Sunday service: 

• Bronx: Parkchester Library
• Staten Island: Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library
• Manhattan: Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library
• Brooklyn: Central Library
• Brooklyn: Kings Highway Library
• Brooklyn: Borough Park Library
• Queens: Flushing Library
• Queens: Central Library