Interim Library Services

The significant length of the branch closure makes it very important to have enhanced interim library services. Regarding interim space, recently we have learned that BPL is working out an agreement with United South End Settlements (USES) and the City to clear the way for the library to use space at USES. We are awaiting a timeline from BPL indicating when this might be settled.

Any temporary location will be used for interim services only and will not also house a library collection. Book drop-off may be possible, however, but remains to be determined.

Christina Jones and Margaret Gardener (new Head Librarian and Children's Librarian, respectively) are working on Storytime and Little Groove musical programming for kids, to be held in the park until the weather gets too cold. Christina is also planning on initiating a monthly adult book group for adults in September, which might meet at FOMU, the non-dairy ice cream shop on Tremont Street. Other ideas are under consideration, and FOSEL will communicate them as they solidify.

Although we had hoped that BPL bike-mobiles might help address book access concerns during the Branch closure, Christina has reported that the BPL's bike-mobiles are unavailable: one is out of commission and the other is located at another branch.

Architectural Firm Selection/Public Facilities Commission Approval

At a public meeting held on July 19th, our City Project Manager, Rohn (Jay) MacNulty, presented to the Public Facilities Commission (PFC) a general outline of the new South End Library project, including the selection of Utile as the designated architectural firm. (A recording of the meeting should be available on the PFC's website shortly.) The PFC approved $679,129 for a programming study and initial design work. Once the contracts are drafted and signed (expected to take 1-2 months), there will be a 12-week feasibility study to assess whether the optimal path will be to renovate the existing building or to tear it down and create a new one. It is hoped that the feasibility work and early design phases will begin in mid-September or sooner.

Community Engagement Process

During the programming study and design phase, the architects are expected to lead several public meetings to solicit input from the community. These meetings will be attended by BPL staff, PFC staff, and all members of the public interested in attending.

In addition to these architect-led meetings, BPL staff plan to reach out to engage with the community on their thoughts and ideas about the new library. The Interim Library Survey that FOSEL presented in early 2023 and a FOSEL report called Introducing our Community, updated in January 2023, will be provided to the architects.

In the coming weeks, the architects are expected to develop a project timeline, which will be published on the South End Branch page of the BPL website as well as on FOSEL's website and via links from the South End Community Forum and through other social media.