Boston Council Grills Library and Youth Agency on Vacancies, Equity in FY25 Budget Hearing

BOSTON — May 7, 2024 — Boston City Council scrutinizes BPL and BCYF budgets, raising alarms over staffing and equity. The Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Councilor Brian Worrell, held a May 7 hearing on FY25 spending orders covering Boston Public Library and Boston Centers for Youth and Families, with no votes taken. BCYF Commissioner Marta Rivera disclosed 90 department-wide vacancies including 28 full-time and 16 part-time lifeguard positions vacant heading into summer, with 60 seasonal slots still to fill. Councilor Liz Breadon, calling it "an absolute disgrace," demanded a second BCYF center in Allston-Brighton, which she said has one facility against six or eight in other districts. BPL President David Leonard confirmed more than 40 open positions and said active union contract talks with AFSCME and PSA colleagues are ongoing. Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune flagged that men make up just 36 percent of BPL's workforce but hold more than half of positions paying over $100,000 annually, and asked for a full demographic and pay breakdown of library management.