South End Branch Renovation Update

The process for developing a new Branch Library for the South End has begun!  Public Facilities Department (PFD) Senior Project Manager, (Jay) Rohn McNulty reports that 14 architectural firms have submitted proposals for the redesign.  Most of the proposals have come from Boston-based firms, including a few located in the South End. Notably, one submission came from Mitchell Giurgola, the NY architectural firm that designed the current building. 

PFD and the Design Selection Committee are reviewing the full list based on criteria including professional experience, engineering and mechanical expertise, LEED experience (green buildings), previous urban projects, and experience with community meetings.  The ranking process will yield a short list of three firms by the end of April followed by a final recommendation to the PFD Commission.  After the selection, fees will be negotiated and a contract drafted and signed.  It is hoped that this phase will be complete by the end of June.  Once the contract is in place, the architects will begin community engagement to gain a full understanding of the South End and our residents’ needs.

We are pleased to report that FOSEL President Yvette Jarreau has been invited to participate in the Design Selection Committee, which will next meet on April 28th.

Branch Librarian Search

BPL is actively interviewing candidates and we hope to have our new Head Librarian on board before the end of May.  He or she will be dedicated to the South End, accessible to the community, and have a mobile office.  It is expected that the new Librarian will work with Priscilla Foley, BPL Director of Neighborhood Services, and BPL Community Learning staff to bring additional library services to the South End.   

Summer Concerts  

FOSEL is moving ahead with plans to hold concerts in Library Park again this summer.  Attendees will need to bring their own chairs as the Library will not likely have furniture at that point.  In the meantime, now that the weather is warmer, FOSEL has requested that the IT group bring back WIFI in the Park.

New Leader of Operations at BPL Introduced

Joshua Rosenthal has been appointed the new Chief of Operations for the BPL.  His responsibilities will span multiple departments, including Facilities, Buildings and Trades, IT, and Security.  He will also work on capital projects, including library renovations.  Rosenthal is a former resident of the South End with a background in commercial real estate and tech start-ups.