Boston Public Library
Budget News
Community Conversation
The Trustees of the Public Library of the City of Boston Meeting
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Rabb Lecture Hall
Presentation by Koren Stembridge, Director of Partnerships and Communications
Note: In addition to all the activities listed below, Board of Trustees meetings, which are open to the public, took place on:
1. January 19
2. February 17
3. March 9
4. March 24
5. April 7
6. April 9
Thank you, Amy, good morning trustees.
As you are all well aware, since the last board meeting on March 24 th, the conversation about the fiscal year 2011 budget has continued and there have been several more opportunities for public comment. I am here this morning to brief you on these.
In terms of messages coming via the budget feedback page of our website, through mail, by fax, or by phone:
- To date, we have received more than 950 messages
- Suggestions for raising revenue have fallen off significantly and the bulk of current messages are either in support of individual branches, or in support of keeping all branches open.
- We have also received messages
- From individuals who use and value the Central Library
- From individuals who use and value online resources
- And from individuals who have offered suggestions for which branches could be closed or which services should be eliminated.
- We have also received messages offering additions to some of our Measures data. The bulk of these additions have had to do with additional schools and public transportation routes to be added for specific branches. It is clear that all Boston Public Library branches are in close proximity to one or more schools and to one or more public transportation routes.
- We are in receipt of petitions from several branches, including:
- Allston-Brighton – 480
- Charlestown – 901
- East Boston – 300
- Egleston - 440
- Jamaica Plain – 2,138
- Lower Mills – 4,046
- Orient Heights - 562
- Parker Hill – 1,562
- Roslindale – 193
- South End - 264
- Uphams Corner - 479
- We know that there are more petition drives underway.
- In addition, we continue to monitor comments posted on Facebook, Twitter, and other online sources
In response to these questions and messages we have taken the following actions:
- We continue to update the budget page on the library’s website, posting new information weekly
- We have updated the measures data based on information provided by our staff and the public
- We have hosted 4 Community meetings around the city and will hold a 5 th online conversation this evening
- And as we move beyond this immediate budget conversation, we will be following up with individuals who have made specific offers of fundraising support, programming ideas, and volunteer time
As mentioned above, the Boston Public Library has convened 4 community meetings in neighborhoods around the city. Those meetings were:
- At the Harborside Community Center in East Boston on Saturday, March 27 th
- At the Codman Square Branch in Dorchester on Saturday, April 3 rd
- At the Honan-Allston Branch in Allston on Monday, April 5 th
- And At the Curley School in Jamaica Plain on Tuesday, April 6 th
There were several common themes that ran through all of the meetings:
- The importance of the library in the lives of children, seniors, and new Bostonians
- The appreciation for libraries that are within walking distance from people’s homes
- The significance of libraries in people’s personal histories – as places where they learned to read, or where their children learned to read
- The idea that bigger branches are not always better
- Messages of appreciation for BPL staff who go above and beyond to make libraries true community gathering places
There were also themes that were unique to specific neighborhoods:
- In East Boston, there was concern over the geographical separation between their community and the rest of the city
- In Allston-Brighton, there was fear of losing another community building in the Oak Square area
- In both East Boston and Jamaica Plain, there were questions about stalled capital projects
In total, at the four Community Meetings we have heard from over 100 individuals.
In addition to library-sponsored meetings and feedback opportunities, there have been meetings and rallies planned by neighborhood Friends of the Library groups, as well as by other library advocates. Amy and her administrative team are attending as many of these as we can. Amy recently attended a meeting at Faneiul with Councilor Ciommo, and one this past Saturday in Dorchester with Councilor Feeney. We also receive regular information from branch staff about activities and meetings in their communities.
No matter what the outcome of your decision on Friday, the community feedback process has been invaluable – it is a treasure trove of information about the services our customers value and the ways in which the library touches lives. We will keep this feedback at the forefront as we move forward to implement the vision for the library’s future.
Finally, to everyone who has sent an email, written a letter, or attended a meeting, I’d like to thank you on behalf of the Board of Trustees and President Amy Ryan. I’d also like to thank you on behalf of all the front-line staff members whose efforts and talents you graciously acknowledged in your messages. Please keep the feedback coming.
Respectfully submitted,
Koren Stembridge - Director, Partnerships & Communications
