Woburn Library Director Writes Op-Ed Defending Potential Cuts

WOBURN, MA — Woburn Public Library Director Bonnie Roalsen wrote an op-ed in the Daily Times Chronicle, Wednesday, presenting her version of events surrounding the library over recent weeks.

Library staff members and supporters have rallied against proposed layoffs or furloughs, while the city has said cuts are necessary because of the pandemic, which is hitting city revenues and has required libraries to be closed.

The staff and their supporters, in an online petition as well as a letter-writing and signage campaign, say that there is plenty for staff to do, but they are not being allowed to. On Thursday, the Minuteman Library Network's directors said they would reconsider Woburn's membership if the city went forward with cuts.

In her editorial, Roalsen argued that cuts are in fact necessary and defended the library's offerings during the pandemic shutdown.

"In recent weeks, there has been a coordinated misinformation campaign about the Woburn Public Library," Roalsen wrote. "As library director, I want to set the record straight."

Roalsen noted that due to the pandemic, "the library will not return to full, normal operation anytime soon."

"Unfortunately, a deliberate campaign of misinformation has been spreading online by a group that believes the status quo is the only course of action," she continued. "This is unhinged from reality."

Roalsen wrote that as the library cannot fully open, "the need to reduce staff is therefore clear." She cited other libraries that have laid off or furloughed staff, such as Brookline.

"Unfortunately, many skills of library staff do not translate to the digital world of a pandemic," Roalsen said. "The city predicts it could take two years to return to pre-pandemic levels of revenue generation. It I therefore incumbent on all of us entrusted with taxpayer funds to adjust accordingly."

Members of the library's staff said they have offered to provide many services, including both virtual programming and curbside pickup, but have been told not to. They also note that City Council passed the library's budget in full in late June, with no salary cuts.

Roalsen listed services currently available from the library, including curbside pickup and delivery and online programming such as Hoopla, Kanopy, and the Digital Scrapbook Project.

"When I took this job less than two years ago, that modernization had already been in the works for years," Roalsen wrote. "The pandemic has accelerated that timeline and forced us to do things in new ways."

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.