[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6246901,"mediaKeyId","3213973-5a0519d37b4dbe0df41a585e81251602","parentId",3213973,"title","Library leaders describe contracted security, recent equipment investments and continuing safety challenges","audioSeconds",312,"startMs",3438000,"endMs",3750000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3213973-5a0519d37b4dbe0df41a585e81251602&start=3438&end=3750","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3213973-5a0519d37b4dbe0df41a585e81251602/thumbnail_3438000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6246901/Boston-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Library-leaders-describe-contracted-security-recent-equipment-investments-and-continuing-safety-challenges","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246901-99db7d7d689219cf0d906fb4425e32de/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168320&Signature=fXVA~r6U~9vz8bF5ODc4QuXOw03J6X6sdmvU38Zro0tiFqGMMMor7hCAQM7IXw78aHmB63DrC0vu6yQh76rMVATVzWYNL5YYpx0kED0d6eWviO2WeAIQPfYMZjX0T8NRIasAHZVcYNIAlYSbUdubhO-qYJVUFWRCiVIj-8QeGAKfwx3JtrQz5~kxqI5gJ-~0064jzgg1~C0TrV5Dlu0OkUyPN8DChvLgCqxzSr3rPRVTaZ67gM51irJcwHNzDO8hAvJicfkyTMHXrZy~evzAeouWEtG3ESngRy1Y2ZMb~YK-NqA47Nos-rc7boJfL~OSWsbLFzef6bAvxv~eH6DHPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Boston City, MA","date","2025-05-07T17:29:00.447Z","article","David Leonard and other library staff told councilors that safety and security remain a significant operational issue as branches serve more patrons with diverse needs.

Leonard said the library uses a contracted security force and called the team “a really good, team of security officers,” noting long‑term personnel continuity with the contract. He said contracted guards are the first face many patrons see and stressed the need to balance compassion for patrons’ needs with safety for staff and other visitors.

Why it matters: Councilors asked whether municipal police could instead provide library security and whether such an approach would be feasible or more expensive. Leonard and staff said contracted guards provide scheduling flexibility for branches and events, while municipal police have broader powers and higher cost implications.

Recent investments and contract lines: Library staff said the FY25 budget included an investment of roughly $175,000 for equipment such as badge readers, cameras and lock boxes to protect staff, collections and facilities. The library also reported that a portion of its contractual services line covers security guard services and that the contract vendor named in the hearing is Allied Universal.

Questions remaining: Councilors asked library staff to consult with property management and the police commissioner on whether a hybrid approach using municipal police for some functions could make sense; library staff said they would do so. Leonard and staff said the library will continue investing in non‑force interventions, partnerships and referral pathways for patrons with behavioral health needs while maintaining contracted security at most locations.

Ending: Library leaders said they will continue to report on security investments and explore options, including further consultations with the police and property management.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ways & Means FY26 Budget: Boston Public Library, Arts & Culture Revolving Funds on May 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Library management told the council it uses contracted security staff systemwide, has invested in badge readers and cameras and is weighing how best to balance contracted guards with municipal police for some duties.","taxTitle","Boston City, Suffolk County, Massachusetts","taxId",3381,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6246905,"Friends group urges council to keep $30 million‑plus South End allocation, says branch has been closed nearly five years",311,4769000,5080000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3213973-5a0519d37b4dbe0df41a585e81251602&start=4769&end=5080","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3213973-5a0519d37b4dbe0df41a585e81251602/thumbnail_4769000.jpg","/articles/6246905/Boston-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Friends-group-urges-council-to-keep-30-millionplus-South-End-allocation-says-branch-has-been-closed-nearly-five-years","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246905-21a1aaceb0e58e1a2b7673070e137782/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168320&Signature=a10UVDMFdLByVB6BRFSvfWEI~n5N0dopc2HM8l8ybWiOw2WcZ6hDdbwyYKLT2Olf0DQGuniam9tyHSO72debdPXkISOHo170XswP~8DUACgz5sJVTiSDrH~EkBPgnCgShNSSlij4G2U-0xTah392UXXzZruOdSsGmMIfsAY1aAgvFiFeQbNtBkq532jGomSlrtyf8zuF8OQ1s~7kzA05VBdGoGzFhseCqaFzQqo7sZo4i7GcVCEFM6dLy-qptlpvbhQ6R-WYvZQbdZlPGUDUcNtfd8guC4gmyBVQXS-8h4alhi-ZDUM4qUTCTJ48BRbImR218MreIHxKUmXPkmI1fw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Yvette Giroux, president of the Friends of the South End Library, told the committee during public testimony that the South End branch has been closed nearly five years and urged councilors to support the capital allocation in the FY26 budget so construction can begin.

“The South End Library branch has been closed for almost 5 years between the refresh that happened in the fall of 2019, then COVID, and then the flood which shut us down in '22,” Giroux said. She told the committee the closure has had a “huge” impact on children and seniors who previously used the branch.

Why it matters: Community advocates said the closure has left a cohort of children without routine branch access and seniors worried they may not live to see the new building. Giroux asked councilors to “support wholeheartedly the 30 plus million dollars that's in the capital budget for next year, '26” so the project can move from design to construction.

Library and council staff response: David Leonard and multiple councilors said the South End project remains in the five‑year capital plan and that design is reaching final stages with a landmarks historic review pending. Leonard said the full costs for the branch are included in the capital budget before the council and that the city is aiming to move forward once design and approvals are complete.

What remains unresolved: Giroux and councilors emphasized the need to avoid delays caused by budget shortfalls or approvals. Councilors asked library staff to ensure temporary service options are discussed with the community during the closure; Leonard described pop‑up programming and BPL by Bike visits as limited interim measures.

Ending: Advocates asked the committee to preserve the capital allocation in the FY26 capital plan so the South End project can proceed to construction; the council’s budget decisions in June will determine whether the allocation remains unchanged.","A Friends of the South End Library leader asked the council to support the capital allocation to move the branch from design to construction after nearly five years of closure caused by refresh, COVID and a 2022 flood.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6246910,"Library expands ESOL, social‑work and community programs as demand rises",2303,452000,2755000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3213973-5a0519d37b4dbe0df41a585e81251602&start=452&end=2755","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3213973-5a0519d37b4dbe0df41a585e81251602/thumbnail_452000.jpg","/articles/6246910/Boston-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Library-expands-ESOL-socialwork-and-community-programs-as-demand-rises","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246910-7e564903cc88b247cbc59835bb74e51c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168320&Signature=OKSPX2kGjtqBAH-Tmph5pT3oVTbIPl7aPK38xToQeIx~6XXD9gjBbCWE3Avzm1JIz1predADZmliwynos9nP8hfCQM0Jt5TgxiPdrLbh-feJhwmlgVzQCi7b2scVgQvjiIM3WaqgrfLW6Eiw9n0dpjmeD-iPks8WFpclFr00XN8PnypGeQstPzjcdzvl56Bybl67bwHz1XE6agUlv-jxAe~-p5txNzx8cx4d3XyqQ1LYeCf4nc3WdawLpS3TSZrCpr5dtc1c8y6IllzoEAcO8dRYkL6iomFqDcfL51mNSUCxq-pgxCWOkXXf4i12dXAtofaOPws6WfostL7epan1XQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Boston Public Library staff told the City Council committee they are expanding services for multilingual learners and vulnerable patrons while demand for literacy, job support and digital access grows.

David Leonard highlighted learning statistics in his presentation: “a record setting 15,000, participants in our ESOL classes,” and he said about 172,000 children and caregivers attended early literacy programs in the prior year. Jess Elias, community learning supervisor, said the library will begin offering beginner‑level ESOL classes at the Chinatown branch starting this fall and described a team of four ESOL instructors and volunteer supports.

Why it matters: ESOL and related workforce programs are a major access point for residents who lack other free year‑round classes. Councilors stressed multilingual staffing, materials and partnerships to serve Cantonese and Mandarin speakers in Chinatown and other neighborhoods.

Social work and outreach: Leonard said the library hired its first social worker in 2022 using a vacancy and philanthropic funds, that the position left and the person later returned in a management role, and that the library is in the process of adding a social‑worker line among the current vacancies. “We were able to, through a combination of, swapping out a vacancy and utilizing, some, philanthropically raised funds, support this this program,” Leonard said. Library staff described ongoing partnerships with the Boston Public Health Commission, Pine Street Inn and Boston Healthcare for the Homeless for referrals and wraparound support.

Other community offerings: The library described a pilot mobile memory lab in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics for digitization services, loans of Chromebooks and mobile hotspots to close the digital divide, and a revamp of early‑childhood outreach called “a thousand stories before kindergarten.” Leonard also highlighted special‑collections visits and digitization work; he noted a loss of a National Endowment for the Humanities grant in February related to federal priority changes.

What remains unresolved: Councilors asked about staffing capacity to run extended evening hours in some branches, multilingual staffing levels for Cantonese and Mandarin speakers, and the need for sustained funding to expand social‑work coverage across branches. Library staff said they will continue to prioritize placements and partnerships and expand targeted services as vacancies are filled.

Ending: The library committed to follow up with councilors on program locations, bilingual staffing plans and how the social‑work pilot will scale.","Councilors and library staff described record ESOL participation, growth of a social‑work pilot, mobile digitization and other community programs serving seniors, immigrants and people experiencing homelessness.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6246915,"Councilors and union highlight 38 vacancies, lengthy hiring times and pay concerns at Boston Public Library",2893,2306000,5199000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3213973-5a0519d37b4dbe0df41a585e81251602&start=2306&end=5199","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3213973-5a0519d37b4dbe0df41a585e81251602/thumbnail_2306000.jpg","/articles/6246915/Boston-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Councilors-and-union-highlight-38-vacancies-lengthy-hiring-times-and-pay-concerns-at-Boston-Public-Library","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246915-c502affd54e850b2ea169eb843194601/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168320&Signature=JrzFZTBRcB8yHtPDhv1bBh34ciONuUmmutkeKhOZ7kjufjd--ilvgn23jYfESUmhHXeCl7bkKGE4Sfc9EH1EHzoqgcB-6bQbWAQf0-aAt7rlD8EPz0hxUa01RIFQjAv9YEIA16vWzc5FN63VqajYWui10AYg1eCtksXmPq25wJtAKUpiA1N6QG0cz5ilIVayZVlq0cy30Uun6epzLmGGzvVs9vu06A4V5bnYIY5zaEcXmPBWboByfb~evNPGtoYa9~bEb7ymctSUW963yPmcwa9gEVtdGqLjQ2zs2wDtxkIi5aknerqJQ0yepzZQzAipmZpWmcf39Cp5fBsuND5TFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","David Leonard, president of the Boston Public Library, told the City Council Committee on Ways and Means that the library currently has 38 active vacancies and is still reducing the vacancy count created during the COVID period.

“The current number of active vacancies, is, 38 that we are trying to actually fill today,” Leonard said. He described a hiring timeline that “on average takes us at least 3 to 6 months to complete a hire,” and noted outliers where positions remained vacant for much longer.

Why it matters: Councilors and library staff said timely hiring and fair wages are essential to sustain services and programming. Several councilors and a union representative said long hiring timelines and limited compensation hurt retention and service delivery.

Union testimony and council response: Alyssa Catalyk, president of ASHME Local 1526, spoke during public testimony about frontline staff. “We are the backbone of the library,” she said. “Not all our staff want to become librarians. ... My lowest paid employees are told no. They’re again the ones they show up every single day.” Catalyk urged the council to examine hiring priorities and to protect and raise wages for lowest‑paid workers.

Leonard and CFO Emily Takarcic said some of the changes councilors see in budget lines reflect an internal reorganization and the breaking out of facility and collections costs into separate budget categories. Leonard said the library had a high of roughly 90 vacancies during the pandemic and has been driving that number down; he said a 30–40 active vacancy level “probably should be around” the system’s target.

Overtime and vacancy risks: Council President Julia Mejia (letter read into the record) asked about overtime: FY24 overtime approached $1,000,000 while the FY26 proposed overtime appropriation is $325,000 and the current fiscal year to date showed an overtime deficit of about $233,000 as of March 31. Leonard and Takarcic said they expect to work with the budget office on mid‑year adjustments if necessary and that increasing permanent staffing would reduce reliance on overtime.

Hiring process concerns: Councilors described procedural steps that can slow hires, including personnel review committee approvals; Leonard acknowledged “some bureaucracy” and said the city’s Office of People Management and Budget has made process improvements but that more work is needed.

What remains unresolved: Union leaders and councilors asked the library to prioritize funding and contract negotiations that raise pay for lowest‑paid workers. Leonard said the library and city officials are engaged in bargaining and other efforts but did not announce specific new commitments at the hearing.

Ending: The library said it will continue to report vacancy and hiring metrics to the council and work with the city and union partners on wage and retention issues.","Library leaders told the council the system has 38 active vacancies and faces lengthy hiring timelines; a union speaker urged the council to prioritize pay and staffing for lowest‑paid workers.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6246920,"Boston Public Library proposes flat operating budget as $283 million five‑year capital plan funds branch rebuilds",2553,708000,3261000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3213973-5a0519d37b4dbe0df41a585e81251602&start=708&end=3261","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3213973-5a0519d37b4dbe0df41a585e81251602/thumbnail_708000.jpg","/articles/6246920/Boston-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Boston-Public-Library-proposes-flat-operating-budget-as-283-million-fiveyear-capital-plan-funds-branch-rebuilds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246920-4edf4ba3144b9b1e4b7baea34dd7a7a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168320&Signature=kPaG936w01suJqzs4hvXBa1wEj8PaqD1VXPS8r9s-6XkpgOBU5zre1hVwpgcQ61u~CVn~dvPu~oxWeij5Jo4LRSYguIJR1fitvoFbsTHVgtJ8uWnCCO8DhFmr39NnKJKEaPf~yxykrfVS2UUVQupwaPR5cECfLMFtuLw07B4~CIUBn5GFg31r7zyI4q3RWR5iHcx2P~HyfQB2INYigbCx9ah1p6eMLd6x~pGisBdDcKQkoi71O793Lxm~jTqHOXNYWVcnuKZK4DcpE1utlYSXmzArjZwUNXI~890dbgO107Cb~i1B1Uwa6tXcTCCMBYn-gO5oWMZFRs1xzFEoGA9cw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","David Leonard, president of the Boston Public Library, told the City Council Committee on Ways and Means on May 6 that the library’s recommended FY26 operating budget is essentially maintenance-level while the city’s capital plan commits substantial money to branch projects.

Leonard said the appropriated FY25 operating budget was $49,882,000 and the recommended FY26 operating figure is roughly $49,335,000. “We expect our external funding currently to be stable, and that should produce an overall library budget of $61,000,000 and change for the year ahead,” he said. He added that the mayor’s capital budget now includes what he described as “a $283,000,000 commitment” over five years, representing a “31% increase over the prior 5 year period.”

Why it matters: Councilors pressed library leaders about what a largely maintenance-level operating budget means for collections, staffing and service hours while capital funds enable building projects. Library officials and councilors emphasized keeping day‑to‑day services running even as construction advances across neighborhoods.

Most immediate details: Leonard and Chief Financial Officer Emily Takarcic said the capital plan supports several branches now in design or construction. Leonard noted the Fields Corner branch is in construction following a groundbreaking; Eggleston Square and the South End branch are late‑stage in design; Chinatown’s permanent branch is tied to a housing development led by the Asian Community Development Corporation and “plans to have shovels in the ground this summer, all going well.” Takarcic explained some operating line shifts reflect a reorganization of budget categories undertaken over the past two years to separate administration, collections and facilities costs.

Collections and digital materials: Leonard and Takarcic described rising demand for e‑content. Leonard reported circulation numbers for calendar 2024 including about 1.8 million physical items and 4.8 million digital items. Takarcic said roughly 47% of the materials budget now goes to e‑books and digital materials and that e‑book licensing models make digital materials comparatively expensive: “It is much less expensive for us to purchase a book, than it is to purchase an ebook because you’re actually paying for the number of…circ[ulations] for the ebook.” The library said it is engaging legislators about statewide options to ease the cost pressure for public libraries.

Capital timing and priorities: On timing, Leonard confirmed that Fields Corner is under construction, Eggleston Square is nearing final design with a likely 12–18 month build period after bidding, and the South End remains in final design and requires a landmarks historic review before construction can begin. Leonard said Chinatown’s interior design is “progressing across the finish line” and that the city will announce a definitive ground‑breaking date when the developer and city partners confirm schedules.

Trust funds and external resources: The library said it works with an investment manager to administer many restricted trust funds; Takarcic described an annual distribution policy averaging 5% over three years for trust fund distributions. Leonard and staff said privately raised philanthropic dollars also support programs and some capital items.

What remains unresolved: Councilors asked about specific service impacts if vacancies persist or if collections and contractual lines are constrained; Leonard said the FY26 proposal assumes preserving active vacancies but that mid‑year adjustments may be needed if areas are underfunded. The library pledged to follow up in writing on several detailed budget questions from councilors.

Ending: The committee will consider the FY26 operating and capital requests during the remaining budget hearings; library staff said they will continue to provide updates to the committee and respond to written follow‑ups requested by councilors.","Library officials told the City Council committee the proposed FY26 operating budget largely maintains current services while a five‑year capital program funds Fields Corner, Eggleston Square, Chinatown, South End and other projects.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Library leaders describe contracted security, recent equipment investments and continuing safety challenges

Friends group urges council to keep $30 million‑plus South End allocation, says branch has been closed nearly five years

Library expands ESOL, social‑work and community programs as demand rises

Councilors and union highlight 38 vacancies, lengthy hiring times and pay concerns at Boston Public Library

Boston Public Library proposes flat operating budget as $283 million five‑year capital plan funds branch rebuilds