Threatened cuts to Queens Library service and library staff were averted, thanks to a final city budget agreement that restored nearly $90 million of a proposed $96 million cut to public libraries citywide.

“We are grateful that [Mayor Michael Bloomberg] and the City Council worked together again to make libraries a priority and have restored the lion’s share of the proposed budget cut. Layoffs have been averted. Every library in every community will remain open at least five days a week. I know you join me in being overjoyed that every library job and at least five-day-a-week library service has been saved in every neighborhood,” Queens Library President and CEO Thomas W. Galante said, when announcing the restoration to staff.

More than 600 jobs were saved.