From Queens Library To New York City Council: Q&A with Jimmy Van Bramer

Chief External Affairs Officer says passive support for libraries must be made active

Norman Oder -- Library Journal, 09/17/2009

• Started as community organizer for library
• Learned both how neighborhoods and City Council work
• Library advocacy remains a priority for him

Jimmy Van Bramer, the Chief External Affairs Officer for the Queens Library (the 2009 LJ/Gale Library of the Year), on Tuesday won the Democratic primary—tantamount to election—for a City Council district in Western Queens, not far from where he grew up. 

Van Bramer, 40, has a BS in criminal justice and sociology and was working as a community organizer for Citizen Action of New York before he joined the library in 1998, initially as a community relations specialist. He first ran for City Council in 2001.

How did you get hired?

The Queens Library, at the time under the direction of Gary Strong, was looking for a community organizer who could organize and build support for libraries: building Friends chapters, going to Community Boards, making sure libraries were at the top of the list when it comes to funding, and organizing rallies. That was something we didn't do. And I think they were looking for someone who knew Queens. I grew up using the Broadway Branch in Astoria.

That was something new at the time.

It was a smart and strategic move. The library didn't have a government affairs position—Gary knew it was a wise decision to make. As we know, everyone loves libraries. But I think making libraries a priority is really what is needed. There's a ton of passive support. What we need is to build and generate active support.

How did working at the library help you understand Queens?

I was able to work very closely organizing communities to advocate for an institution that we know is a vital and critical service. I learned how change can and should happen from the ground up. At the same time, I had a great opportunity to work with the City Council itself, work with the committees, with the members, so I saw how the budget works, how the committee structure works. So I feel like I can hit the ground running.

Will libraries be a priority for you?

Of course I'll be switching sides, but I will always be a library advocate. I was extremely fortunate to work for the Queens Library for so long. It was the best job I could ever have. I believe I can be an effective library advocate [on City Council], because I know our services and programs are not luxuries, they're necessities.

What are your other priorities? 

The Council has a great deal to say about the budget, and budgetary priorities. It's also the first line of defense for neighborhoods when it comes to quality-of-life issues. I intend to have the best constituent services operation. And of course I'm a great advocate of the environment... tenants' rights... good planning.

Libraries are right there at the top of my list. I think it's really critical to have people in elected office who know, in a personal firsthand way, that libraries are critical, essential city services.

Contact the author: noder@reedbusiness.com