South End Community Meeting

Join us for a virtual community meeting to discuss plans for the South End Library on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 from 6:30 pm-8:00 pm.

https://shorturl.at/jHGOJ

FOSEL urges timely passage of city budget

[adapted from an article by Marleen Nienhuis for the Rutland Square newsletter]

Budget

Mayor Michelle Wu's City budget for fiscal year 2026-27 is now in the hands of the City Council, and advocates for the Friends of the South End Library have begun to press the Council to safeguard the $30 million allocated in the budget for the replacement of the South End Library.

Yvette Jarreau, President of the Friends of the South End Library, spoke on May 6th at the city budget hearing chaired by District 4 Councilor Brian Worrell. Jarreau pointed out that the South End branch has been closed for almost five years due to Covid and flooding. The new library will not open until the end of 2028.

"We have kids in the South End who have no experience of having a branch library" in their neighborhood, said Jarreau. "We have seniors who fear they won't be around for a new one. It is crucial that you guys vote for the money allocated in the budget for the next fiscal year."

If you want to have your voice heard to support the funding, contact Councilor Brian Worrell, Chair of Ways and Means, brian.worrell@Boston.gov or by phone: 617 635-3131.

Summer concerts in Library Park

A series of jazz and blues concerts in the Library Park will be performed by Pat Loomis and Friends, on alternate Tuesday evenings starting at 6:30pm: 7/1, 7/15, 7/29, 8/12, 8/26 (rain dates TBD).

These will likely be the last events sponsored in the park by FOSEL before demolition of the current building and construction of the new one begins.