I worked at New York Public Library in the mid 1990s. The other night,
when Charlie Rose said that Brooke Astor was probably the most important
person in the history of the library, my wife was astounded to hear me
agree.
As some of you who are New Yorkers know, the New York Public Library is
a nonprofit organization owned by the Astor, Lenox, and Tilden
Foundation. The central research library is very wealthy, running on
endowed funds. The branch library system does receive endowed funds;
rather, the budget comes from the City of New York.
Starting in the 1970s, New York had extreme budget problems. Brooke
Astor was the chair of the board during a time in which the City of New
York cut the budget by 75%.
The library fell upon hard times. Salaries stagnated, positions were
frozen, and services were cut. However, no one lost their job, no
branches were closed, and the library formed a system of regional
branches that rotated services, providing libraries for New Yorkers
despite the lack of money. Most branches were open 3 afternoons a week,
but within the region there was always a library open.
Brooke Astor was instrumental in saving the New York Public Library. It
was not only her financial contributions, but her time and ideas that
helped to ensure the continued success of library services in New York
City. She also managed to persuade the board, despite massive
opposition, to share some of the endowed money in order to prevent total
chaos.
Brooke Astor really did save the New York Public Library. This really
was a woman who "got it."
--Bryan M. Carson
Donna Fisher wrote:
> Now here's a woman who knew what she was talking about. Philanthropist
> and NYPL trustee Brooke Astor died last week at age 105. For her 100th
> birthday luncheon, when she was asked whom she wanted as guests, she
> replied without hesitation: “One hundred librarians.”
>
> Just a nice little bit of good PR for us. This incident was included in
> a NY Times article from yesterday.
>
> http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/19/fashion/19astor.html
> http://www.nypl.org/news/astor.cfm
>
>
> Donna M. Fisher
>
> Law Librarian
>
> Senniger Powers
>
> 1 Metropolitan Square Suite 1600
>
> St. Louis MO 63102
>
> 314-231-5400
>
> Dfisher@senniger.com <mailto:Dfisher@senniger.com>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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-- Bryan M. Carson, J.D., M.I.L.S. Associate Professor/Coordinator of Reference & Instructional Services Western Kentucky University Libraries Author, "The Law of Libraries and Archives" (Scarecrow Press)1906 College Heights Blvd. #11067 Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101-1067 Phone: 270-745-5007; Fax: 270-745-2275 bryan.carson@wku.edu
All original content copyright 2007 Bryan M. Carson
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