Governor Signs Budget Bill, Additional Money for Library Approved

Dear Friends of the South End Library,

Below is a letter from the BPL formally announcing the additional funds from the state!

Dear Branch Friends,

BPL President Amy Ryan asked me to share this wonderful news with you.

Yesterday, Governor Patrick signed a $330M supplemental funding bill for FY11 that included an additional $350,000 for the Boston Public Library. Thanks to the support of the legislature and the Governor and the leadership of Mayor Menino, this supplemental funding from the state will allow the Boston Public Library to continue to keep all branches open for the remainder of the fiscal year. This means that the four branches scheduled to close at the end of March – Faneuil, Lower Mills, Orient Heights, and Washington Village – are now fully funded through June 2011. Boston Public Library Trustees will formally take action on the supplemental funding at their next regular meeting, which is scheduled for January 18 at the recently reopened Brighton Branch library. Work continues on the development of a sustainable budget for the coming fiscal year. We acknowledge that our FY12 budget remains uncertain, but we are grateful for the ongoing partnership of our many users, friends, community members, and elected leaders.

This a great news for our organization. Amy asked that I extend her thanks to all who have worked so tirelessly toward this resolution.

Thank you.

Christine Schonhart

Director, Branch Libraries

Boston Public Library

700 Boylston Street

Boston, MA 02116

617-859-2340

cschonhart@bpl.org

For more information go to: www.bpl.org