BPL Board of Trustees Issues Statement on Ongoing Library Services

The Birmingham Public Library Board of Trustees is exploring options to cut costs and improve efficiency to alleviate the shortfall to the library system’s budget as a result of COVID-19 pandemic on the City of Birmingham’s finances.

“The Library Board has been inundated with inquiries, questions and concerns from the public regarding the future of the Birmingham Public Library System,” said Eunice Johnson Rogers, President of the BPL Board of Trustees in a statement issued today, Tuesday, September 1.

“We all know the COVID-19 Pandemic has had a devastating effect on our community. We are reviewing all efficiencies to be as fiscally responsible as possible,” she said.

With 19 library branches across Birmingham, BPL is one of the largest library systems in the Southeast. Rogers said the BPL Board is taking a hard look at streamlining operations and appropriating budgeted resources to its highest and best uses.

To date, the Library Board of Trustees has decided to close one branch, Eastwood Library. Eastwood Library is BPL’s only library branch under a lease; the other 18 library branches are in city-owned buildings.

“We did not consider it fiscally responsible to renew a lease in the middle of this crisis,” Rogers said.
“However, we are exploring creative partnerships for that area.”

Rogers reported to the Birmingham City Council on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, that the Library Board had made no decision on furloughing library employees.

“The BPL Board of Trustees appreciates Mayor Woodfin’s inclusion of the Birmingham Public Library System in his proposed budget in the amount of $12.8 Million,” Rogers said in a statement during the City Council’s 2021 Budget hearing held on August 31.  “We are grateful for the Council’s approval of that sum or any additional amount the Council believes to be in order.”

Since the onset of the Pandemic, BPL has continued to provide quality services for the public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. One of BPL's virtual programs, Read-In for Justice, was spotlighted by the Urban Libraries Council -see story here https://www.urbanlibraries.org/blog/birminghams-read-in-for-justice.

 “The BPL Board of Trustees is committed to the mission of the Birmingham Public Library to provide the highest quality experience to our community for lifelong learning, cultural enrichment, and enjoyment,” Rogers told the City Council in closing remarks Monday. “The Library Board will continue to work cooperatively with City leadership to fulfill the Board’s responsibilities.”