Critically Acclaimed Books Were Unavailable at New York Public Library as Budget Woes Hit June Buys

A new book about Donald Trump’s time on “The Apprentice” has garnered multiple reviews and headlines.

But New York Public Library (NYPL) patrons seeking to check out a hardcover copy of “Apprentice in Wonderland” by Ramin Setoodeh, an inside look at the reality television show, are out of luck.

The NYPL hasn’t bought the book yet as of Monday morning, citing a lack of funds at the end of the fiscal year that ended June 30, even though “Apprentice in Wonderland” went on sale June 18.

That’s not the only new book notably missing from the library system’s physical shelves, according to a random review of recent releases by THE CITY.

A critically acclaimed new tome about tumultuous elements of the 1990s and how some pivotal moments during that era have in part led to the rise of Trump is also not yet available in paper.

Over the weekend, the New York Times gave “When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists, and How America Cracked Up in the Early 1990” by John Ganz the coveted “ editor’s choice ” designation for a new release.

But the NYPL hadn’t bought any version of it as of Monday morning.

After THE CITY asked about the titles, the NYPL said the books were ordered and would be available later the same day online through the internal SimpleE site or via the Libby app. Those two sites allow readers to check out e-books or audiobooks.

There are currently 100 requests for “When the Clock Broke,” which the NYPL’s website says is “on order.” The book was released by Macmillan Publishers on June 18.

“At times, we make fewer purchases towards the end of the fiscal year because we are transitioning to a new budget cycle,” the NYPL said in a statement. “This is standard at lots of organizations.”

The shrinking physical and digital supply comes as the use of e-books and audiobooks has steadily risen over the past decade, according to the Pew Research Center.

Publishers charge libraries as much as $55 for two years of access to one digital copy of a book, according to the American Library Association . By contrast, individual consumers can buy a copy of the same book for around $15, for lifetime use.

Late last month the mayor and City Council leaders announced a budget deal that restored an estimated $58 million to library funding. The money is expected to allow most branches to stay open on Sundays.

But it’s unclear how much of that money will go towards purchasing new items.

In May, the heads of the three different library systems, all testified before the City Council that previous budget cuts forced them to pare back purchases of new books and other items.

“Our patrons are experiencing the impact of a smaller collection after the $6.5 million cut we absorbed in November,” said Linda Johnson, president and CEO of the Brooklyn Public Library.

“There are 40,000 fewer books on the shelves –-10% of these titles are in languages other than English,” she added, noting that the BPL suspended purchasing more expensive materials such as test prep and passport study guides, large print books and reference resources.

She noted that fewer books have also led to longer wait times.

“The average wait for eBooks and audiobooks has increased 30% since the November cut,” she testified. “Instead of encouraging young readers to explore their passions, we are holding them back.”

NYPL President Tony Marx said his system plans to purchase 20,000 fewer e-book copies, 6,000 fewer downloadable audiobooks, 40,000 fewer books in English and 6,000 fewer books in other languages than it did last year.

High-demand fiction books such as “Sandwich” by Catherine Newman, published by HarperCollins on June 18, were also unavailable as of Monday morning. Some 247 requests for the book have been submitted online, according to the NYPL’s website.

The NYPL also doesn’t have physical copies of popular new releases “Middle of the Night” by Riley Sager and “Red Sky Mourning” by Jack Car, according to the library’s website.

After THE CITY asked about the three titles, the NYPL said they were available online via SimplyE or Libby.

At the Battery Park Library, some patrons expressed their frustration about the shrinking physical and digital stacks.

Celestina Sierra, 43, works a few blocks from Battery Park Library as an executive assistant. Originally from Queens Village but now living in New Jersey, Sierra frequents the Battery Park library near her office during the week to bring home books for her daughter.

“If there is something that people want to read, the libraries should have it,” Celestina Sierra, told THE CITY on Monday.

“It is detrimental to everyone when books are not available,” she added.

Areena Akhter, 23, said she’s also had a hard time finding some nonfiction books.

“You don’t get what you’re looking for,” said Akhter, who moved to New York City from California last year.

It’s not the first time the city’s three library systems have reduced the number of new books bought.

In 2011, then-mayor Michael Blooomberg proposed $100 million less in library funding. The scheduled cuts plus earlier budget reductions made it briefly impossible for the Queens system to buy new items.

On Monday, not all patrons were frustrated.

Myrna Katz, 83, who has been going to the Jefferson Market Library in the West Village for decades, said she hasn’t had any problems getting the books.

But she added that there are sometimes long waits.

“I am a tough old lady,” she said, “I can figure out how to get the books I want to read.”

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