Library Asks Residents to Weigh In on Changes

The Boston Public Library hosted a meeting Monday night at Copley Square to give Bostonians a chance to envision their ideal public library.

This is the last of many meetings that have been held since the library began a strategic planning phase (dubbed the "BPL Compass") last fall. 

"We've gathered literally thousands and thousands of comments," said Mary Frances O'Brien, the director of central services. 

"This week the trustees will be meeting and going over all the input that we've had through these public meetings," said O'Brien.

The trustess will tweak, change and add to the library's draft "Principles for Excellence" in response to the feedback. The final set of principles will be presented Dec. 16 at the East Boston Branch of the Boston Public Library.

About a dozen attendees at Monday's meeting were asked to scrawl their ideas on post-it notes and stick them to the wall. Afterwards, the group discussed the suggestions.

Among the ideas suggested to improve the library were: Hosting public policy forums or candidates nights; Encouraging more social gathering; Fostering the experience of visiting the library as a museum or providing art and architecture tours; Dedicating trained staff to work specifically with children; Developing partnerships with libraries around the country so that members can visit and take out books; And selling Boston Public Library souvenirs to devotees and visitors. 

But some meeting attendees were more concerned with the closing of several branch libraries than with discussing a long-range vision for the library.

Earlier this year the library's leadership recommended closing four branches (Faneuil, Lower Mills, Orient Heights and Washington Village) due to budget constraints. The , which serves Beacon Hill, is in no danger of closing.

"That is something that we have been wrestling with this year," admitted O'Brien. She said the library has pledged, moving forward, to be more transparent in its budgeting process. 

"I've worked here for a number of years," O'Brien said. "The library has gone in cycles. We have had our ups and downs."

The Boston Public Library's Draft Principles for Excellence

1. Customer-Driven Institution: An institution with services that anticipate and respond to neighborhood interests and the city's changing demographics.

2. Community Gathering: A community gathering place that fosters reading, thinking, conversing, learning and teaching in welcoming and sustainable facilities online and in the community.

3. Cultural Heritage: Commitment to the preservation, public awareness and access to its cultural treasures and distinctive collections.

4. Researchers and Lifelong Learners: Serve researches and lifelong learners, defining its services to scholarship in terms of its collections, digital and Web-based resources and access to other scholarly networks.

5. Children and Teens: Commitment to services for children and teens, from early literacy through high school.

6. State-of-the-Art Technology and Access to Information: Provide access to and training in state-of-the-art technology and online resources.

7. Partnerships: Engage in public and private partnerships that enrich services, expand outreach and leverage public investment through private support.