Boulder Library District Cuts Security, Staff Amid Revenue Crisis

URGENT UPDATE: The Boulder Public Library District (BPLD) has just announced significant cuts to security and staffing at multiple branches due to a sharp decline in revenue, impacting services across the district. The decision was made official during a Board of Trustees meeting last week, revealing a staggering $4.4 million drop in revenue from $26.2 million to $21.7 million for the upcoming year.

The BPLD will eliminate dedicated security at the Meadows Library, George F Reynolds Library, and the newly opened Gunbarrel Branch. Security services spending will plummet by 44%, from $830,000 to just $462,920. Director David Farnan emphasized the need for budget cuts, stating, “It’s difficult to justify spending nearly $1 million on security with so few incidents reported.”

In the past year, the Reynolds Library experienced only one security incident, while Meadows reported 12 incidents. Farnan noted a general decrease in incidents, with a 30% reduction at the main library, despite patron visits increasing by 25-30%. The BPLD hopes to save approximately $367,000 with these cuts.

Additionally, the district will lay off about 11.5 staff positions, with recent layoffs already affecting two employees. Salaries are also set to decrease by 4%, dropping from over $10.45 million to just under $10 million. “It sucks,” Farnan admitted, expressing concern for the staff being let go due to financial constraints.

In a move to streamline operations, the Board of Trustees is transitioning custodial services in-house, which may create four new positions. This decision follows a controversial spike in security measures after a meth-related incident at the main library in 2022, which thrust the facility into the national spotlight.

As the BPLD navigates these changes, staff members are organizing a unionization effort, seeking to restore collective bargaining rights that were lost when the library district separated from the city in 2022. A special Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for December 2, 2023, to discuss the ongoing unionization efforts.

The implications of these cuts are significant, impacting both library services and the community’s access to safe public spaces. As the BPLD grapples with financial challenges, the future of its security and staffing remains uncertain. Public response is anticipated as community members react to these urgent developments.

Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving story.