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Report: NYC Public Libraries In Poor Physical Shape

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The infrastructure of New York City's public libraries is in bad shape, according to a report by the New York-based think tank Center for an Urban Future.

About $1.1 billion is needed to fix things like broken air-conditioning and other problems at the three city library systems, the report said.

Other problems include broken windows and elevators, leaks, inadequate electrical outlets and lack of accessibility for the disabled.

The three library systems are the Brooklyn Public Library, Queens Library and the New York Public Library, which covers Manhattan, Staten Island and the Bronx.

The library system presidents say they're releasing the report Friday "as an urgent appeal for long-overdue city action on the staggering infrastructure crisis'' at its branches, the Wall Street Journal reported.

"We need a commitment over the next 10 years to build up all the branches, and fix not just the boilers, but to make them beautiful spaces which is what New Yorkers deserve," Tony Marx, president of the New York Public Library, told 1010 WINS.

"We have branches that I'm sorry to say are just embarrassing and not up to the standards that New Yorkers deserve," Marx added. "We have branches that really haven't been touched in decades, they're sad, everyone deserves a library that is inspiring and that they can be proud of and we want to make sure that that's the case."

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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