Summary of 7th Community Meeting
By Yvette Jarreau, President, FOSEL
May 20, 2026
Boston Public Library, the City of Boston, and Utile hosted the seventh Community Meeting for the South End Branch on Tuesday, May 19th at Union Church on Columbus Ave. After the presentation which included a revised project schedule, options for alley designs, proposed alley design and management, and Q&A’s, attendees were invited to walk to the alleys adjacent to the existing library to further understand the options that were presented.
In addition to the many community members who attended at the church David Leonard, President of BPL was there with Priscilla Foley, Director of Neighborhood Services, Christina Jones, SE Library Branch Librarian, and Allison Ford, Manager of Major Projects and Operations.
Sarah Sharpe, our Bay Village and South End Liaison from the Mayor’s Office kicked off the meeting, followed by Mohammed Missouri, Executive Director of City Neighborhood Services. Also attending were Mayor Wu, City Councilor Ed Flynn, City Councilor Miniard Culpepper, Briana Millor, Chief of Community Engagement, and several people from the Public Facilities Department, as well as members of Public Works, including Dennis Roache, Superintendent.
In Mayor Wu’s welcome, she acknowledged our elected officials, Councilor Ed Flynn, Councilor Miniard Culpepper, and representatives from other Councilors’ offices. She also conceded that this project has been delayed and is now prepared to go forward after receiving community input to the options being presented about how to manage the adjacent alleys.
Patricia (Trish) Cafferky, Deputy Chief of Operations, Mayor’s Office, presented the slides which began with the revised, estimated timeline for the building. Completion of the design phase and updated construction documents will occur this spring/summer. Simultaneously they plan on moving forward with the pre-qualification stage for hiring the contractor. And by fall 2026 the project is planned to go out for bids, with the contracting phase happening in winter ‘26. Construction should begin in the spring of 2027 and will take about 27 months.
After covering the timeline Trish shared the current street and alley configuration as well as service vehicle access.
Then Brett Bentson, Principal and Project Leader from Utile, explained each of three options for Alley #510 which are available here on slides 7-12 (with renderings) and then asked for input and questions from community members. There were many ideas from the attendees which we hope the designers/planners will consider integrating into the final design. Some of these ideas included: higher curbs to deter parking, no cobblestones, enforcement of No Parking (starting now, to get people used to it), and placing the transformer as close to the building on the alley side as possible, not enclosed by its own fence.
Mayor Wu asked for a preliminary show of hands for each of the options. More people seemed to like Option 1 better than the other two options.
However, this was before Trish Cafferky shared information about Alley 510 ownership, one half of which is owned by abutters and the other half by the Library/City. To manage the increase in building size and resultant decrease in alley width, she presented the following operational changes for managing the alleys:
1. Private Alley 510 to become one-way to minimize conflicts.
2. Signage: Add No Stopping signage for fire access, public works services and neighborhood access.
3. Designation: Add the ‘Open to Public Travel’ designation to the alley. The alley is already open to public travel, as residents along Private Alley 529 pass through, but the designation adds clarity.
After the presentation, Trish led a walk-through in the alley which had been laid out with temporary markers indicating the larger building and the footprint cutout which increases space for vehicles navigating the alley’s intersection with alley 529. Community members asked questions and learned that an existing electrical transformer is located underground near the side of the current building, but a new one will need to be larger to accommodate increased electricity requirements for an all-electric branch and as a result will have to be moved closer to the Rutland Square end of the alley. There are also considerations about the tree root systems that require placing the transformer further down the alley away from the building.
FOSEL hopes that people's concerns and suggestions will be integrated into the best possible approach for the neighborhood and the library. We do not have an official position on the three options presented by the City on how to design and manage Alley #510 behind the library. We feel this is best determined by the input from the people who live adjacent to the alley and the city officials with expertise on streets and city operations.
Because the project has been significantly delayed, we are pleased that it will move forward on parallel tracks: completing the design and prequalifying a contractor this fall. We hope the alley-way access issues raised will lead to a better outcome for adjacent neighbors and city services.
All the slides from the presentation are available here.
Reunión Comunitaria de la Biblioteca de South End #7
Por Yvette Jarreau, Presidenta de FOSEL
20 de mayo de 2026
La Biblioteca Pública de Boston, la ciudad de Boston y Utile organizaron la séptima reunión comunitaria de la sucursal South End el martes 19 de mayo en Union Church en Columbus Ave. Tras la presentación, que incluyó un calendario revisado del proyecto, opciones para el diseño de callejones, propuestas de diseño y gestión de callejones, y sesiones de preguntas y respuestas, se invitó a los asistentes a caminar hasta los callejones adyacentes a la biblioteca existente para comprender mejor las opciones presentadas.
Además de los numerosos miembros de la comunidad que asistieron a la iglesia, David Leonard, presidente de BPL, estuvo presente junto a Priscilla Foley, directora de Servicios Vecinales, Christina Jones, bibliotecaria de la sucursal de la biblioteca SE, y Allison Ford, responsable de Grandes Proyectos y Operaciones.
Sarah Sharpe, nuestra enlace de Bay Village y South End de la Oficina del Alcalde, inauguró la reunión, seguida por Mohammed Missouri, Director Ejecutivo de Servicios Vecinales de la Ciudad. También asistieron el alcalde Wu, el concejal Ed Flynn, el concejal Miniard Culpepper, Briana Millor, jefa de Participación Comunitaria, y varias personas del Departamento de Instalaciones Públicas, así como miembros de Obras Públicas, entre ellos Dennis Roache, superintendente.
En la bienvenida de la alcaldesa Wu, reconoció a nuestros representantes electos, al concejal Ed Flynn, al concejal Miniard Culpepper y a representantes de otras oficinas de concejales. También reconoció que este proyecto se ha retrasado y ahora está preparada para seguir adelante tras recibir la opinión de la comunidad sobre las opciones presentadas sobre cómo gestionar los callejones adyacentes.
Patricia (Trish) Cafferky, subdirectora de operaciones de la Oficina del Alcalde, presentó las diapositivas que comenzaban con la cronología revisada y estimada para el edificio. La finalización de la fase de diseño y los documentos de construcción actualizados tendrán lugar esta primavera/verano. Al mismo tiempo, planean avanzar con la fase de preclasificación para contratar al contratista. Y para el otoño de 2026 se planea que el proyecto salga a licitación, con la fase de contratación en el invierno del 2026. La construcción debería comenzar en la primavera de 2027 y durará unos 27 meses.
Tras cubrir la línea temporal, Trish compartió la configuración actual de la calle y el callejón, así como el acceso a vehículos de servicio.
Después, Brett Bentson, director y líder de proyecto de Utile, explicó cada una de las tres opciones para el Callejón #510, que están disponibles aquí en las diapositivas 7-12 (con renderizados), y luego pidió opiniones y preguntas a los miembros de la comunidad. Hubo muchas ideas de los asistentes que esperamos que los diseñadores/planificadores consideren integrar en el diseño final. Algunas de estas ideas incluían: bordillos más altos para disuadir el aparcamiento, no adoquines, la prohibición de no aparcamiento (a partir de ahora, para acostumbrar a la gente) y colocar el transformador lo más cerca posible del edificio, en el lado del callejón, sin estar cerrado por su propia valla.
El alcalde Wu pidió que se levantara la mano preliminarmente para cada una de las opciones. Más gente parecía preferir la Opción 1 que las otras dos.
Sin embargo, esto fue antes de que Trish Cafferky compartiera información sobre la propiedad del Callejón 510, una mitad de la cual pertenece a Abutters y la otra mitad a la Biblioteca/Ciudad. Para gestionar el aumento del tamaño del edificio y la consiguiente disminución del ancho de los callejones, presentó los siguientes cambios operativos para la gestión de los callejones:
1. El Callejón Privado 510 para convertirse en un solo sentido y minimizar conflictos.
2. Señalización: Añadir señalización de prohibido parar para acceso a incendios, servicios de obras públicas y acceso vecinal.
3. Designación: Añadir la designación 'Abierto al Viaje Público' al callejón. El callejón ya está abierto al tráfico público, ya que pasan los residentes a lo largo del Callejón Privado 529, pero la designación aporta claridad.
Tras la presentación, Trish dirigió un recorrido por el callejón que había sido diseñado con marcadores temporales que indicaban el edificio más grande y el recorte de huella, lo que aumenta el espacio para los vehículos que circulan por la intersección del callejón con el callejón 529. Los miembros de la comunidad hicieron preguntas y supieron que un transformador eléctrico existente se encuentra bajo tierra cerca del lateral del edificio actual, pero uno nuevo tendrá que ser más grande para satisfacer las mayores necesidades eléctricas de una rama totalmente eléctrica y, como resultado, tendrá que trasladarse más cerca del extremo Rutland Square del callejón. También hay consideraciones sobre los sistemas de raíces de los árboles que requieren colocar el transformador más adelante en el callejón, alejado del edificio.
FOSEL espera que las preocupaciones y sugerencias de la gente se integren en el mejor enfoque posible para el barrio y la biblioteca. No tenemos una posición oficial sobre las tres opciones presentadas por la ciudad para diseñar y gestionar el Callejón #510 detrás de la biblioteca. Creemos que esto se determina mejor con la aportación de las personas que viven junto al callejón y de los responsables municipales con experiencia en calles y operaciones municipales.
Debido a que el proyecto se ha retrasado significativamente, nos complace que avance en paralelo: completar el diseño y precalificar a un contratista este otoño. Esperamos que los problemas de acceso a los callejones planteados conduzcan a un mejor resultado para los vecinos adyacentes y los servicios municipales.
Todas las diapositivas de la presentación están disponibles aquí.
Alley Design Options - Pre-Read
For Community Meeting on May 19th, 2026
Click here for the proposals for alley design, which will be discussed in the Community Meeting May 19th at Library Park
Last Author talk with Linda Stasi on 4/22
Great Author Talk with Lisa Genova on 3/25
Author/Journalist Linda Stasi shared how her family from Sicily came to the US in the early 1900s, were moved to Colorado to work in the mines, took advantage of the early prohibition law in Colorado, and evolved into the early Mafia of the 20th century. The novel tells the story of author Stasi’s grandmother and six aunts, whose names have been changed, but is based on real events.
In addition to hearing several fascinating stories, the audience enjoyed wine, cheese, and Italian meatballs in honor of the family’s origin.
Our team will be working over the spring and summer to prepare for the Fall 2026 Series. Be on the lookout for news of books and authors for October, November, and early December.
South End Library News 4/16/26 by Yvette Jarreau, President, FOSEL
In a recent meeting with Mayor Wu and her staff from Neighborhood Services and City Operations, several community members discussed the South End Library. The Mayor expressed her commitment to getting the new building built, and the need to address the concern about city service vehicles being able to access the homes adjacent to the new building between W. Newton and Rutland Streets.
A physical, vehicle test has been done recently, and the City Operations Department has developed two options for the way we use Alleys 510 and 529. These options will be presented at forthcoming community meetings currently being scheduled for early May, one of which will take place in Library Park and other will be virtual. Both will include visuals so our South End neighbors can see what is being proposed.
Additionally, a timeline/schedule for the whole project will be shared. In the meantime, Utile, our architects, have also addressed a modification to the alley-side of the building that is designed to make access easier.
Many thanks to all of you who advocated for the release of funds, contractor selection, and community information. Your messages created more urgency and made a difference.
En una reunión reciente con la alcaldesa Wu y su equipo de Servicios Vecinales y Operaciones Municipales, variosmiembros de la comunidad hablaron sobre la Biblioteca del South End. La alcaldesa expresó su compromiso con laconstrucción del nuevo edificio y la necesidad de abordar la preocupación sobre la posibilidad de que los vehículos deservicio municipal puedan acceder a las viviendas adyacentes al nuevo edificio entre las calles W. Newton y Rutland.Recientemente se ha realizado una prueba física de vehículos, y el Departamento de Operaciones de la Ciudad hadesarrollado dos opciones para el uso de los Callejones 510 y 529. Estas opciones se presentarán en próximas reunionescomunitarias que se programan para principios de mayo, una de las cuales tendrá lugar en Library Park y otra serávirtual. Ambos incluirán imágenes para que nuestros vecinos del South End puedan ver lo que se propone. Además, se compartirá un calendario y calendario para todo el proyecto. Mientras tanto, Utile, nuestros arquitectos, también hanabordado una modificación en el lado del callejón del edificio diseñada para facilitar el acceso. Muchas gracias a todos losque defendisteis la liberación de fondos, la selección de contratistas y la información de la comunidad. Tus mensajescrearon más urgencia y marcaron la diferencia.
Testimony for Ways & Means Committee of the Boston City Council 3/24/26
Testimony for Ways & Means Committee of the Boston City Council 3/24/26
My name is Yvette Jarreau and I am President of the Friends of the South End Library. Thank you Chair Weber and Vice Chair Fitzgerald for this hearing. And thank you councilors Fizgerald, Culpepper, and Flynn for your ongoing support of the South End Library. I am asking for your active help getting the release of funds for the South End’s new library building.
The capital funds for the SEL project were approved for fiscal 26 at $32.5 million; Councilor Culpepper has sponsored a resolution to increase that to $35 million. I understand the project is about ready to go out to bid but awaits a release from the Office of Budget Management.
The South End Library rebuild ifs a special case given its unplanned closure from catastrophic flooding shortly after the Covid shutdown. It has now been closed nearly 5 years. This special case was acknowledged by the city’s decision to accelerate the project and has resulted in a lovely design by Utile Inc.
Recently, that design needed minor alterations because neighbors adjacent to the building had concerns about access to the alleys parallel and perpendicular to the building. Testing was done and adjustments to the design are being made. This project should now go forward into the construction bidding process. We need to continue the acceleration. Why?
· Because of the length of closure, a whole cohort of young children have not had the experience and benefits of a local library where they can explore, learn, and get ready for school. Those that are already in school are not having the library’s support for reading, good study habits, and homework so helpful for success later.
· Many seniors remain concerned they will never see or be able to use the new building because they won’t live long enough.
· For the many immigrants who live in our neighborhood, the local library is a refuge and source of much needed information and learning about various aspects of civic life.
· This lengthy period without a local library has not diminished the level of interest and desire by the community. I am asked regularly by people in the neighborhood about when the new building will be started and when it will be completed. Rather, this wait has only increased the level of longing and need.
· Our new library building is also an important element to support South End families’ decision-making about staying in the city rather than moving out, because it will directly improve the quality of life in our neighborhood.
Please provide your support for releasing the capital budget funds now to begin the construction phase of the project.
Testimonio para el Comité de Medios y Arbitrios del Ayuntamiento de Boston 3/24/26
Me llamo Yvette Jarreau y soy presidenta de los Amigos de la Biblioteca del South End.
Gracias, presidente Weber y vicepresidente Fitzgerald, por esta audiencia. Y gracias a los concejales Fizgerald, Culpepper y Flynn por vuestro apoyo continuo ala Biblioteca de South End. Te pido ayuda activa para conseguir la liberación de fondos para el nuevo edificio de la biblioteca del South End.
Los fondos de capital para el proyecto SEL fueron aprobados para el año fiscal 26 en 32,5 millones de dólares; El concejal Culpepper ha patrocinado unaresolución para aumentar esa cifra a 35 millones de dólares. Entiendo que el proyecto está a punto de salir a licitación, pero espera una autorización de laOficina de Gestión Presupuestaria.
La reconstrucción de la Biblioteca del South End es un caso especial dado su cierre no planificado debido a inundaciones catastróficas poco después del cierrepor Covid. Lleva cerrada casi 5 años. Este caso especial fue reconocido por la decisión de la ciudad de acelerar el proyecto y ha dado lugar a un diseñoencantador de Utile Inc.
Recientemente, ese diseño necesitó pequeñas modificaciones porque los vecinos adyacentes al edificio tenían preocupaciones sobre el acceso a los callejonesparalelos y perpendiculares al edificio. Se realizaron pruebas y se están haciendo ajustes en el diseño. Este proyecto debería avanzar ahora en el proceso delicitación de construcción. Tenemos que continuar acelerando. ¿Por qué?
Debido a la duración del cierre, toda una cohorte de niños pequeños no ha tenido la experiencia ni los beneficios de una biblioteca local donde puedan explorar,aprender y prepararse para ir al colegio. Quienes ya están en el colegio no cuentan con el apoyo de la biblioteca para la lectura, los buenos hábitos de estudio ylos deberes, tan útiles para el éxito más adelante.
Muchos mayores siguen preocupados porque nunca podrán ver o usar el nuevo edificio porque no vivirán lo suficiente.
Para los muchos inmigrantes que viven en nuestro barrio, la biblioteca local es un refugio y fuente de información y aprendizaje muy necesarios sobre diversosaspectos de la vida cívica.
Este largo periodo sin una biblioteca local no ha disminuido el nivel de interés y deseo de la comunidad. La gente del barrio me pregunta regularmente cuándoempezará y cuándo se terminará el nuevo edificio. Más bien, esta espera solo ha aumentado el nivel de anhelo y necesidad. Nuestro nuevo edificio debiblioteca también es un elemento importante para apoyar la decisión de las familias del South End sobre quedarse en la ciudad en lugar de mudarse, porquemejorará directamente la calidad de vida en nuestro barrio.
Por favor, apoyen la liberación de los fondos del presupuesto de capital ahora para comenzar la fase de construcción del proyecto.
Muchas gracias por tu ayuda con esto.
Yvette Jarreau Presidente, Amigos de la Biblioteca del South End (203) 984-1530
At our first Author Talk of the Spring Season, we heard great stories from Bruce Robert Coffin
Despite the weather and the challenges with sidewalks, a warm and friendly crowd enjoyed Sara DeVello’s interview of Bruce Robert Coffin about his background as a Detective Sergeant in the Portland Police Department and his more recent career as a prolific author of detective mysteries. His great stories about what he learned as a detective entertained us and form the basis of his present-day writing.
Our next talk on 3/25 will feature Lisa Genova, neuroscientist and NYT best-selling author of Still Alice, sharing about her most recent book, More or Less Maddy. Don’t miss it!
For future programs check this page as the series progresses.
South End Library Building Project Update
Our last Community Meeting about the SEL new building was on May 28, 2025. Since then, the architects have been working to finalize the design and get drawings ready for the bidding/contracting process which was planned for Fall/Winter.
In October we learned that neighborhood associations adjacent to the library had raised concerns about the ability of plows and garbage trucks to negotiate the alleys between and perpendicular to the new library building footprint. In the months since this issue was raised, relevant city departments have been determining specific requirements for ensuring these vehicles can service the residents who use these alleys.
In a recent conversation with David Leonard, Boston Public Library President, we learned additional information. He shared, “We hope we are now in the very last stages of a design adjustment caused by these clarified requirements for a turning circle coming in and out of the alley. This should be completed in a matter of a few weeks.”
Also impacting the progress of this project is more-than-normal uncertainty about funding and rising costs. Even though the City’s Capital Budget was approved for FY 27 in late 2025 during the city’s budget process, there is an Office of Budget Management release that must take place before the funds are available for planned capital projects. That release has not yet occurred. He is hopeful that the library will be given an update on this prior to the release deadline of April 8th.
We will continue to keep the South End community informed of both design progress and funding status.
Announcing our 2026 Spring Author Series
Our Spring 2026 Author Talks are scheduled!
FOSEL has evolved the South End Library Author Series to reach beyond the South End and Boston to entice our friends and neighbors to experience acclaimed authors, their books, and the conversations they generate.
This season enjoy a stimulating evening connecting with admired authors whose work will range across multiple genres and geographies! It’s a great time to connect with friends and neighbors! After the talk and Q&A discussion, take advantage of the opportunity to purchase the showcased book(s), enjoy the signing, and appreciate appetizers, wine or soft drinks with other readers from the South End.
Parkside Books, our new neighborhood bookstore at 260 Shawmut Ave, will be on site to sell the books and it will be a good moment to connect with them as well. https://www.parksidebookshop.com/
Our Spring 2026 series of three sessions will be held at the United Church at 485 Columbus Ave, at 6:30pm in the Connection Room. They will be available by Zoom for those who are unable to come in person and enjoy the camaraderie, refreshments, and book signings of these events.
FOSEL wishes ALL a peaceful and safe Holiday Season
Friends of the South End Library are so very grateful for all the support from the South End community – our donors, our engaged neighbors, our city workers, and our elected officials. We wish ALL a peaceful and safe holiday season and a happy new year that we hope will include the start of a new library building.
A large crowd was energized and delighted to hear from Ilyon Woo in our final author talk of the Fall 2025 series
In spite of a little rain, the crowd for our final author talk of the Fall 2025 series was energized and delighted to hear from Ilyon Woo about her Pulitzer prize winning book, Master Slave Husband Wife. Thanks to all who came out and to the folks who attended virtually.
Through Sara DiVello’s masterful interviewing we learned so much about Woo’s impetus for writing the book, her research, and her feelings about the characters in this amazing and harrowing true story of escape from slavery. We also learned she is writing a children’s version of this courageous couple from scratch to teach and engage that age group about an important part of our history.
To all who missed it, the video recording is available on our FOSEL Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/FriendsoftheSouthEndLibrary
Or via Zoom link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/Ff-mHtW-ykH0i1XHhXuhsagYagvwYUNj_l8dNsgi0RPoiz21hS8pvQpWNq3pqB_w.BWV6Z3nbRAFwAT_H
Passcode: Z1^tgmEB
For future programs check this page as winter progresses and we make plans.
Union Church welcomed us for the spellbinding author interview with Alma Katsu & FOSEL’s Sara DiVello
Alma Katsu, author of Fiend and interviewer Sara DiVello kept us on the edge of our seats as they explored Alma’s career journey from CIA Analyst to novelist of multiple books in the spy and horror genres. We learned that Alma’s drive to write ultimately required she leave the CIA to pursue her current passion.
Born in Alaska but raised here in Concord, MA, Alma began writing before her intelligence career, and returned to it, publishing her first novel, The Taker, in 2011. Her novels often blend genres, such as historical fiction with the supernatural, evidenced in The Hunger, a story of the Donner Party, which received an NPR award for horror.
Alma shared that The Fiend, a story about a wildly financially successful family with a terrifying evil demon was inspired in part by the acclaimed TV series Succession and has many parallels with some of today’s real situations like the Sacklers, the Murdochs, and others.
Our next author talk will be on December 10th with local author, Ilyon Woo, sharing her experience writing Pulitzer Prize winning, Master Slave Husband Wife. Join us at 6:30pm at Union Church, 485 Columbus Ave, Boston.
Join or renew your Support for FOSEL
We think you'll agree that libraries are the heart of a community. The Friends of the South End Library (FOSEL) helps keep our library thriving while we await construction of the new South End Library building. FOSEL plays a vital role in our community by:
Advocating for the new South End Library branch
Bringing neighbors together for summer concerts
Hosting author talks in person and online
Stocking the Little Free Library with great reads
Promoting programs like popups, children's storytime, yoga, and Scoops Book Club
Our annual appeal has just begun, and we invite you to join or renew your support for FOSEL. Your contribution helps sustain programs that bring people together and keeps the library’s spirit alive while we look ahead to the new branch.
Fall Author Series had an exciting start last Wednesday
Last Wednesday the Friends of the South End Library opened its Fall Author Series at Union Church with a visit from Joanne Harris, acclaimed author of Chocolat. She talked about her newest book, Vianne, which is the prequel to Chocolat. Her host for the evening was FOSEL’s Sara DiVello. An engaged audience filled the room for the wide ranging conversation. Afterwards, Parkside Books sold copies of both Vianne and Chocolat. Ms. Harris autographed books while attendees mingled and enjoyed drinks and chocolates. It was a most enjoyable evening.
Announcing our Fall Author Series
Come enjoy stimulating evenings connecting with admired authors whose work will range across multiple genres and geographies! It’s also a great time to connect with friends and neighbors! After the talk and Q&A discussion, take advantage of the opportunity to purchase the showcased book(s), enjoy the signing, and appreciate delicious appetizers, wine or soft drinks with other readers from the South End.
Final Summer Concert Last Night
Our last concert for the summer season was wonderful! Brazilian flavor jazz mixed with a few pop songs by Pat Loomis & Friends, including a lovely vocalist, Concetta. We're actively scouting out a temporary venue for next summer since our beloved Library Park will be closed for construction. We're considering close-by O'Day park on W Newton where the new benches fan out facing the new building. Check it out and let us know what you think.
Summary of 6th Community Meeting
Sixty-two people attended the virtual meeting with the following agenda:
1. Introductions
2. Schedule and Process
3. Community Meeting Recap
4. Floor Plan Update
5. Interior Design Progress
6. Exterior Design Progress
7. Next Steps
8. Q&A Discussion
The presentation slides and video recording are available on the BPL website, South End Library, South End Branch Project Page https://www.bpl.org/south-end-project/
Here’s a breakdown of segments in the video:
6:42 Introductions completed
7:00 Project schedule chart
10:34 Recap of previous meetings completed
10:37 Review of sustainability initiatives
12:28 Building footprint review
12:32 Review of building program
13:30 Floor plans – entrance details and size included
22:19 Interior design progress
28:14 Exterior design progress including review of proposed signage
32:45 Next steps – construction documentation & bidding process
33:55 Questions & comments
HIGHLIGHTS
We highly recommend you review the slides to see the renderings of the new building which will give you a sense of the design and compatibility with the adjacent streets.
Timeline
After introductions and agenda Brett Bentson of Utile presented the project timeline (slide 5) indicating a twelve-month design phase consisting of Schematic Design, Design Development, and Construction Documentation. We are entering the Construction Documentation part of that phase which will take place over the Fall/Winter of 2025 (slide 36); he estimated 24-30 months to doors opening.
Budget
A FOSEL board member asked about the approval of the city’s capital budget for 2026, which is in process and includes $32.5M for this building project. {On June 9th it was approved by the City Council and the loan orders for the Capital Plan need two votes spread 14 days apart (per the city charter), so the first vote is passed, and the second vote will be on June 25. This info added after the meeting through contact with the City Council.}
Landmarks Commission
The design has been presented to the Landmarks Commission on an advisory basis. It was received positively and Utile was given a homework assignment regarding several details. They expect to return to the Commission in the next few weeks and expressed a desire for community support/advocacy for the design.
Sustainability
The sustainability goal of the building is Leeds Silver Certification which includes being solar ready and using no fossil fuels. Solar panels will not be installed immediately (presumably for budget reasons).
Parking
Due to the building footprint expansion into the alley, there will no longer be staff parking spaces alongside the building. This is the case for many city branch locations and has been accepted by the current library staff. A question arose about people in cars being able to park temporarily on Tremont St to drop off books; this remains an open question.
South End History Collection
In response to a participant question, Priscilla gave a brief update on plans to meet with Paul Wright the lead for the SEHC at the Central Library to discuss plans for the collection. When questioned further, Priscilla indicated it will have a visible presence in the new branch’s adult area, with display possibilities and signage.
Entrance
Several questions and comments were raised about the entrance on Tremont St. Some people expressed satisfaction that the connections to Tremont Street and the park have been achieved. With an eight-foot width to the elevator vestibule and a corresponding entrance from the street, concerns about a potential backup at the elevator seem to be alleviated.
Graphic Elements, Art Gallery, Window Shades, Signage
In answer to a question about mural or graphic elements, we learned the City Art Department is in collaboration with BPL and Utile. Art gallery space inside will be available for temporary exhibits with installed picture rails in the community room. Motorized window shades will be used to help maintain a comfortable environment inside while still providing plenty of natural light. An attendee requested a way to share information with people walking by about what exhibits and art are available inside (in the event we are unable to exhibit Local/Focus through a window).
Library of Things
Regarding a Library of Things, the staff workroom will have storage for various items which will be available at the branch. For more information about what items, contact Priscilla Foley at BPL. pfoley@bpl.org
Compost Bins Location
The location of the compost bins is still being considered; one attendee requested that residents from Rutland and Newton Streets should participate in the decision about the new location.
Summary of 5th Community Meeting
BPL & Utile Host 5th Community Meeting February 10, 2025
Attended by more than 60 people, the fifth community meeting offered more detailed preliminary designs for our new library. It was hosted by BPL staff and facilitated by Utile, our architectural firm, with attendance by members of the Public Facilities Department, representatives from the City Councilors’ offices and the Mayor’s office, and many community members.
A recording of the meeting and the presentation slides are available on the South End Library page of the BPL website here.
Using the format from previous meetings, Utile summarized each of the previous community meetings and then provided revised floor plans with additional details and refinements.
Following the revised floor plans, they gave us a first look at how the building exterior could look from Tremont St, W. Newton S, and Library Park and then initial concepts for the interior of the building including the entrance lobby from the first and second floors and the children’s and adult’s reading areas.
A look at the timeline indicated a 6th Community Meeting sometime before Fall 2025. In the interim considerable design work will take place, refining both the exterior and interior concepts, with the expectation of putting the design out for construction bids in the fall, and construction starting at the end of the year and continuing for 18-24 months before completion/occupancy.
Questions & Comments from Attendees covered a wide range of topics:
· Concerns about the location of the Zero Waste Oscar Bins being inappropriate for the front of an important public building and a suggestion that these bins should not be the sole receptacles for the whole South End. Data supporting the high usage of the bins by residents reinforced the need. Response: Discussions are going on with the appropriate departments and the Zero Waste staff about how best to roll out this pilot program. Utile is considering how to accommodate this compost service while these discussions take place.
· What is the nature of the three staff spaces? Response: Space is allocated for facilities equipment, such as snowblower and other implements, a work room for staff to manage materials, a staff lunchroom, and a Friends storage space.
· Community members had previously voiced a desire to engage more directly from the building to the park and this design represents a lost opportunity for that, despite the good visual connection via windows. Response: For security reasons and issues with the flood plain elevation, there will be only one entrance to the building.
· Do we really need the phone nook? Response: Community members have expressed the desire for a variety of space sizes, including the phone nook, for activities such as interviews or health related inquiries, which in other branches have been well used.
· Will the community room be able to hold musical performances, PowerPoint presentations and will there be accessible parking on the street? Response: There will be presentation equipment, and the room will be acoustically designed for concerts, films, etc. Details regarding street interaction/accessibility and the blue bikes have not been worked out yet, although there are no plans at this moment to move the blue bike station.
· What type of restrooms are being considered? Response: All the restrooms will be gender neutral with closed toilet rooms and open sink areas.
· Previously, community members expressed their desires for a third floor to avoid encroachment into the alley and the park, to promote ease of wayfinding and use of the building, and for various types of programming, such as nutritional education. The issue of internal ease of use has been solved, however, the left side of the building (entrance, ramp, borrowers’ desk) needs more work. It doesn’t foster the integration between inside and outside sufficiently. Perhaps there’s a way to improve this.
· Additionally, the building seems quite “serious” and needs more “fun.” Perhaps this can be handled by furnishings. The exterior is hard-edged; perhaps it could be made softer to reflect more of the neighborhood aesthetic. Response: The next phase of the design work will focus more on the details of both the interior and the exterior. Gratitude was expressed for these comments/suggestions.
· One community member asked about the comparatively small size of the teen area to the adult and children’s areas and was concerned about the poor reading scores of Boston’s public-school children. Response: Not all activities for teens will be held in this dedicated area. For example, SAT preparation classes that are held in other branches will also be held in the SEL branch in the community room or the multipurpose room. All people will have access to the whole library; the space for teens is meant as a designated space for teens to do homework, read, relax, and research.
Recent BPL Trustees Meeting February 4th 2025
Recent Board of Trustees Meeting
The most recent Trustees’ meeting was held at Honan-Allston Branch on 2/4/25. As part of the trustees’ desire to engage with branches and patrons, the trustees were welcomed by Carin O’Connor, Branch Librarian and Sarah Markell, Vice President of the Friends. The slides introduced all the staff, shared information about library circulation, programming and provided remarks from the Friends. You can review them here.
President Leonard’s primary focus was BPL’s newly finalized Strategic Plan implementation and rollout plans. The plan identifies four major BPL strategic roles: Lifelong learning and research partner, welcoming destination, community engager, and trusted resource. Within those overarching roles, 15 goals have been identified with 86 initiatives for which a roadmap will be created.
Operationally, BPL currently has 495 full time and part time employees with 49 vacancies. An overview of the budgeting process was presented including an overall timeline for the process. Among other capital expenses $2.5M is allocated for the South End Library project for the FY26-29. Presumably additional money for construction of the new building will be allocated when the construction phase is more imminent, likely late in 2025 when cost estimates will be available.
You can access the agenda, slides, meeting materials here.
2025 SE Library Author Series for Spring
Once again our FOSEL board member, Sara DiVello has confirmed an excellent author and book lineup for our Spring author series.
Starting on February 26th we will host Nicole Treska, Boston native and author of a memoir, Wonderland, about being raised in a mob family in the days of Whitey Bulger.
The second in the series on March 26th features Abbott Kahler, author of Eden Undone, a remarkable and true story involving murder and an attempt at utopia in the Galapagos.
Our final author event for Spring on April 23rd will be author Dr. Saumya Dave, NY psychiatrist whose most recent novel is titled The Guilt Pill, a book which explores women’s challenges to “do it all” without guilt and the unintended consequences.
These will be fun, stimulating events enhanced by refreshments book signings, and book sales by Parkside Booksellers, our own SE independent book store.
BPL Hosts 4th South End Library Community Meeting on December 4th
The 4th Community Meeting hosted by BPL and facilitated by Utile, the architectural firm charged with designing the new branch, was held virtually on December 4th and attended by more than 80 people including BPL staff, City Public Facilities Department staff, representatives from City Councilors’ offices, our South End Liaison to the Mayor’s office, team members/presenters from Utile, their landscape partner firm Arcadis, and many members of the community.
A recording of the meeting and the presentation slides are available on the South End Library page of the BPL website found here.
Project Schedule
After the welcomes and introduction, Brett Bentson, project lead from Utile, shared the agenda which included the schedule for the project indicating we have entered the 12-month Design Phase to be followed by the Construction Phase, typically 20-24 months.
Claudia Porras of Utlle recapped the previous three community meetings for any attendees who are new to the project. Slides and recordings of these can be found on the South End Branch of the BPL website mentioned above.
The Park/Landscaping
In reviewing their approach to Library Park, James Kros of Arcadis, Utile’s landscape partner, explained they plan to preserve as it is with two exceptions: expansion of nine feet into the park toward Rutland Street and three and a half feet into the alley to accommodate a somewhat larger building footprint. Kros shared a diagram of service truck access via the alley and indicated that these footprint expansions will not affect existing access to the alley.
The arborists report the trees are in good condition and they want to preserve the current vegetation and continuity of materials. Plans include expanded seating (some paving changes required by the new building footprint), the planting of a magnolia tree at the new entrance, and plantings on the alley-side in place of the current sidewalk with potted trees. There is no plan to move/change the fences.
The park will have to be closed during construction. To protect it during this phase, there will be chain link fenced zones to separate mechanical vs manual earthwork areas for preservation of trees, roots, and the irrigation system which is still in use. FOSEL will need to provide them with “as built” drawings of the irrigation system.
Shadow Analysis
Presentation of a shadow analysis of the proposed building for our four annual seasons indicated there will be no meaningful increase of shadows in the neighborhood.
Floor Plans
Porras shared the preliminary floor plans noting a 40% overall increase in space distributed across various areas such as the community room, the collection/reading zones, and central services. The entrance door will face Tremont Street, and visually communicate its presence. Just inside there will be a ramp of two and a half feet to bring the first floor up to the required flood zone level. An elevator will be available just inside the door to bring people to either the first or second floor, where they will be greeted by staff stationed on both floors.
A significantly enlarged community room (double the current room with 104 seating capacity) and a large children’s room will occupy the first floor with the children’s area facing Tremont Street and the community room backed up to the wall adjacent to the alley. Community members asked that attention be paid to balancing safety/security of the children with the desire to allow visibility in and out of the library through windows facing the street. The Community Room will have storage, a sink, and water available, but there will be no kitchen facilities in the new building. This is disappointing to FOSEL, particularly because the branch has a long history of including food at its programs.
The teen space will be on the second floor along with the adult collection/ reading areas adjacent to a staff desk so that these spaces can be properly monitored for safety and civility.
There is a third floor that consists of space for mechanical and electrical equipment and a staff storage area for library materials.
Sustainability
The overall goal is LEED Silver which is defined as a recognition of the project's initial steps toward minimizing its environmental impact. (Silver 50-59 points. The Silver certification level indicates that a project has surpassed the basic LEED requirements, achieving more than 50% of the available points.)
Specific goals mentioned include all electric (no fossil fuels), roof-ready for solar panels which will be installed after final construction, highly insulated structure, triple-glazed windows, and storm water capture to underground chambers for preserving wood piling foundations in the neighborhood. Demand Ventilation based on room occupancy will be used for spaces within the building to ensure efficient use of HVAC.
Q & A
What about a food pantry? Some branch locations have this capacity, it was not yet clear if SEL would have this.
Art display is important and there will be walls and picture rails that will allow for this. Rotating art exhibits are desirable.
Natural light is crucial and there will be lots of visual connections to the park, as well as from the outside to enable people to see what’s going on inside. The façade on Tremont Street will have windows with natural light along the street and along the park. The entrance will be visually evident from all angles and welcoming.
The SE History Collection will be housed in the adult area and easily accessible to patrons. Currently it has been moved to Central where Paul Wright can meet with Melissa Andrews, Collections Director, to help assess what’s there and how it might be made available in the new building. The hope is for local authors and history materials to be “front and center” at the branch.
What about a Library of Things? Central and other branches are incorporating this concept. Foley mentioned telescopes and sewing machines as examples and suggested community members access the link on the branch web page to offer suggestions/ideas for what might be included in this exciting concept. https://www.bpl.org/library-of-things/
Utile explained in more detail how the bathrooms will be set up. Both floors will have all-gender bathrooms which include two fully private, accessible ADA rooms plus individual private toilet rooms, and communal sinks. In the children’s area there will be a family bathroom accessed within that space.
There will be additional community meetings as the design progresses, although no specific target dates were identified.