For The People Newsletter Vol. XXXVII
For everyone working to strengthen and expand public libraries
Fobazi Ettarh (1989–2026)
Fobazi Ettarh, self-described radical librarian and researcher who passed away earlier this year and much too soon, focused an unflinching gaze and rigorous analysis on libraries and librarianship. Her powerful, seminal concept of vocational awe brought to the fore the constraining, harmful mythologies underpinning libraries, from the entanglement with sacred structures and practices to the continued dominance of whiteness. Ettarh’s scholarship illuminated the contradictions and problematic dimensions that must be addressed for libraries to fully serve all communities, including library workers themselves. Her thinking influenced and aligns with FTP’s philosophy as articulated in our What We Believe statement, that while libraries are an essential common space that we must defend, they can only fulfill their liberatory promise if we mobilize political power to publicly challenge how libraries reproduce social harm and work to resituate these critical institutions on a foundation of just relations.
We at FTP extend our condolences to Fobazi Ettarh’s circle of family and friends and offer deep gratitude for her work.
Mayor Mamdani Broke His Promise to NYC Libraries
Last April, then-candidate Zohran Mamdani pledged to commit 0.5% of the city’s budget to public libraries. This funding increase is the core demand of NYC PLAN, which has also been amplified by the library systems, and it would help ensure that every branch has the staffing and resources to provide robust services to their communities. He reiterated his commitment on December 27 at Greenpoint Library.
Unfortunately, Mayor Mamdani broke this promise in his preliminary FY27 budget, released on February 17. In it, he allocated 0.39% of the city’s expense budget to NYC public libraries for FY 27 which starts on July 1, 2026. This amount is well below the 0.5% of the city’s expense budget that he promised during the campaign and reaffirmed after his election. In fact, at 0.39% of the expense budget, he has actually allocated LESS than Eric Adams did in his FY 26 preliminary budget proposal (0.42%).
Read more by FTP steering committee member, Mariame Kaba, about why public libraries are critical to a left political project here.
NYC PLAN is not giving up. After hearings and other steps, the City Council votes to approve the final budget this June, and New Yorkers have until then to convince each and every member that public libraries deserve a raise. If the mayor won’t hold himself accountable to his word, then New Yorkers certainly will.
If you are a NYC resident, reach out to your council member as frequently as you can to get them aligned with our goal—0.5% for Libraries, this and every year. Please also reach out to everyone in your network who lives in NYC and ask them to do the same.
CLICK HERE to sign and send a letter to your council member, or CLICK HERE to find their phone number and give them a call. NYC PLAN has provided a call script here.
🗓️ FTP Events
FTP’s Friends & Foundations Network helps folks strengthen and protect their libraries by getting involved with a Friends of the Library or Foundation group! Our first meeting is on March 18 from 6:30 – 8:00 pm ET (3:30 – 5 pm PT) —register and learn more here!
REMINDER: For The People’s next Library Trustee Network meeting will be held on Thursday, March 12 from 8:00 – 9:00 pm ET (5 – 6 pm PT). If you’re a past cohort participant or a currently serving library trustee, we hope you’ll join us! Every month we share library wins and troubleshoot and discuss issues and challenges that are cropping up in our systems. For more information or questions on how to join, email us at forthepeoplelibraries@gmail.com.
FTP loves to hear from folks around the country about their experiences with their public library systems. Please reach out to us at forthepeoplelibraries@gmail.com if you would like to share a reflection in our newsletter.
Local Library of the month!
This month’s local library is La Crescent Public Library! Written by Eric
A place to learn, a place to gather, a place to ask questions, go on adventures, and be free.
We want to feature your local library in our newsletter! Thanks to Eric for writing in this month. Send us a photo and 100 words about what your library means to you and your community.
🏛️ Library Land Updates
Here’s a roundup of interesting reading and listening material that we think you’ll appreciate. Sometimes articles may be paywalled. In other news, sometimes it’s nice to use tools like Archive.today or the Wayback Machine.
Iowa lawmakers advance bill prohibiting partnerships between public schools and libraries by Maya Marchel Hoff for The Gazette
Grant Guidelines for Libraries and Museums Take “Chilling” Political Turn Under Trump by Jamie Seaton for Propublica
Some Wisconsin libraries are struggling for funds due to inflation, budget shortfalls by Steph Conquest-Ware for WPR
Feds Shut Down Library Passport Services by Mackenzie Boric for The Highlands Current
🎞️The Librarians documentary is now screening on PBS.
From Safety Whistles to Red Cards, Libraries Are Standing Up to ICE by Jack Phoenix for Pop Heist
Under Trump, Concerns Grow Over Grant Guidelines for Libraries and Museums by Jaimie Seaton for Truthout / ProPublica
If Federal Museums Aren’t Allowed to Tell the Truth About the Past, it’sTime to Start Supporting the Organizations That Can by Bergis Jules | Sustainable Futures
Vancouver library board removes ‘equitable access’ from strategic plan by Erik Neumann for OPB
🔊“How We Got Here: The Rise, Backlash and Future Of Counter-Disinformation” with Eliot Higgins and Dr Claire Wardle Stage Talks with Bellingcat
In A Danger to the Minds of Young Girls, Adam Morgan explores the biggest threat to American youth: books by Katie Prout for The Chicago Reader
Using Picture Books to Discuss Censorship ALSC Intellectual Freedom committee
Inside an AI start-up’s plan to scan and dispose of millions of books by Aaron Schaffer, Will Oremus and Nitasha Tiku for The Washington Post
A local librarian’s research helped secure a settlement for descendants of displaced Black Portlanders by Ellen Clarke for Street Roots
OverDrive’s Long Testimony Misses the Point: Libraries Need Fair eBook Contracts, Not a Fear-Based Marketing Pitch by Kyle Courtney for Ebook Study Group
Iowa libraries turn to advocacy as legislative scrutiny rises by Grace Nieland for The Gazette
‘The goal has been to demystify’: how a colonial Nairobi library was restored and given back to the people by Diego Menjíbar Reynés for The Guardian
How an early LA librarian helped revolutionize the library experience by Cato Hernandez for LAist
Arkansas board tables state aid for public libraries pending clarity on new rules by Ella McCarthy for Magnolia Banner News
Congress Maintains Most Federal Funding for Libraries, Museums, and Archives via EveryLibrary
Taking page from Adams, Mayor Mamdani proposes NYC library cuts by Elizabeth Kim for The Gothamist
Prison-Style Free Speech Censorship Is Coming for the Rest of Us - The Intercept by Jeremy Busby
Seattle Library Workers Raise Alarm About Security Crackdown Hitting Homeless People » The Urbanist by Justin Ward
📢 Take Action
Sign NYC PLAN’s letter to city council: City Council, we demand half a percent of the overall city budget for libraries!
NYC: Call your City Councilmember - NYC Public Library Action Network
🎟️ Upcoming Events of Interest
📚 March 1 | Albany, NY | 518 Zine Fest. More details here.
🗣️ March 7 - June 11 | Various Locations | Speaking Engagements Dorothy Berry will be making appearances to talk about her book The House Archives Built at public and private events for The House Archives Built and Other Thoughts on Black Archival Possibilities.
📚 March 14 | Flemington, NJ | 12 pm – 5 pm | Flemington Zine Fest organized by Great Joy Collective
🗓️ March 10 | Deadline | American Library Association, Social Responsibilities Round Table: Health Equity in Action: Libraries, Communities, Opportunities. Submit proposals using this form. Round Table is on April 30.
📚 March 15 | Omaha, NE | 12 pm – 5 pm | 2026 Omaha Zine Fair at at the Hot Shops Art Center
📚 March 15 | Pittsburg, PA | 11am – 5pm | Pittsburg Indie Expo at the Heinz History Center
👥💬 March 18 | Virtual | FTP’s first Friends & Foundations Network meeting! Register and learn more here!
📢 March 21 | New York City, NY | 1 pm – 4.30 pm | NYC PLAN People’s Assembly. “NYC Public Library Action Network (NYC PLAN) is hosting our third people’s assembly! A people’s assembly is a facilitated gathering where community members discuss key issues, collectively problem-solve, and decide how to address them. We will provide free lunch from 12:00pm to 1:00pm.” RSVP here.
📚 March 28 | Tampa, FL | 6 pm – 10 pm | Tampa Zine Fest at Southern Brewing