Ok folks, it is time for a grass roots, neighborhood effort to tell the “powers-that-be” to preserve the North End Branch Library. As a result of its budget crisis, the Boston Public Library is looking to close many of its 26 neighborhood branches. The North End Branch Library is at risk! Now is the time to fill their offices with letters, calls and emails. The other neighborhoods have a head start, so please take the time to use the form letter below (or write your own) and send it to the BPL Trustees and our elected City and State officials.
Here is a form letter for you to use or modify as you wish. Contact information, including email addresses, is below the letter. You can also download the letter and contact/email addresses here:
TEXT VERSION OF NE LIBRARY LETTER,
PDF VERSION OF NE LIBRARY LETTER.
(The contact email addresses are on the second page of the above files and also shown under the letter below.)
Thanks to the Friends of the North End Branch Library, Bill Lane and the other neighbors that helped put this together.
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Letter in support of the North End Branch Library
In light of the budget crisis of the Boston Public Library, I am writing to express my support for the North End Branch Library at 25 Parmenter Street. Closing any branch is harmful, but I wanted to share why the North End Branch is particularly vital to the neighborhood.
North End/Waterfront residents have only one branch in a very densely populated neighborhood. The closing of the North End Branch would negatively impact the entire community, unlike other areas which are served by multiple branches. The nearest branches are in the West End or Charlestown, inaccessible alternatives for many residents.
Young families are increasingly staying in the city as their families grow. Having a local library is crucial for children’s reading and developmental activities. Beyond its physical resources, the branch provides a public space for tutoring, homework help, ESL and creative learning experiences. The closing of the North End Branch would encourage families to move to the suburbs, causing long-term harm to the neighborhood.
Many residents in the North End do not own cars. The North End has a substantial elderly population, many with physical challenges. Having a library branch within walking distance is crucial for our senior citizens.
The North End has seen its student population grow substantially over recent years. The student and young professional residents of the North End often do not own cars, using modern urban alternatives, such as Zipcars or bicycles. An accessible public library branch is important to keeping Boston an intellectual, academically intense city.
The North End Branch Library was established in 1913 and has become an important part of the neighborhood culture. Relocated to its current site in 1965, it is modeled after a Roman “villa.” The branch contains a unique Italian language collection. Access to this collection is important to residents that have lived in the North End for most of their lives. The Italian collection supports the culture that has long-been associated with the North End for new and old residents eager to read Italian language books and papers.
The Friends of the North End Library are active in the community, providing resources to supplement the library’s activities. For example, the Friends organization recently upgraded the exterior landscaping and brick walkway creating a wonderful outdoor space for residents and visitors to enjoy while using the branch.
I know all the neighborhoods are vying for your influence on behalf of their library branches. These are truly difficult decisions. Again, with only one library branch in our neighborhood, its closure would dramatically harm the fabric of our community forever. I feel that other neighborhoods with multiple branches are in a better position to absorb such closures.
Thank you for your help in preserving the North End Branch Library.
Name: _________________________ Date: ______________
Address: _______________________________________________
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Contact information for letters regarding the North End Branch Library
Trustees of the Boston Public Library
700 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
Email: feedback@bpl.org
Mayor Thomas Menino
Boston City Hall
One City Hall Square
Boston, MA 02201
617-635-4500
Email: mayor@cityofboston.gov
Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services
North End/Waterfront Coordinator: Nicole Leo
Email: nicole.leo@cityofboston.gov
District 1 City Councilor Sal LaMattina
1 City Hall Square, Suite 550
Boston, MA 02201-2043
617-635-3200
Email: salvatore.lamattina@cityofboston.gov
District 1 Neighborhood Services: Kathy Carangelo-McIsaac
Email: katherine.carangelo@cityofboston.gov
Michael Ross, City Council President
Email: michael.ross@cityofboston.gov
City Councilors-At-Large:
Stephen Murphy, Email: stephen.murphy@cityofboston.gov
John Connolly, Email: john.connolly@cityofboston.gov
Felix Arroyo, Email: felix.arroyo@cityofboston.gov
Ayanna Pressley, Email: ayanna.pressley@cityofboston.gov
Rep. (HOU) Aaron Michlewitz
State House, Room 542
Boston, MA 02133
617-722-2489
Email: rep.aaronmichlewitz@hou.state.ma.us
Senator Anthony Petruccelli
State House, Room 413-B
Boston, MA 02133
617-722-1634
Email: anthony.petruccelli@state.ma.us
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City Councilor-At-Large Felix ArroyoFelix Arroyo, City Councilor-At-Large provided an update on his 2010 agenda at this week’s North End/Waterfront Neighborhood Council (NEWNC) meeting. He described his interest in heading up the Youth Affairs Committee to help create youth jobs.
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