BOSTON – On Monday, March 24, City Councilor Ed Flynn will hold a hearing before the Committee on City Services and Innovation Technology to discuss the status of the South Boston Branch Library Study, which was the first formal step toward redevelopment of the library. The South Boston Branch Library Study has been marked as “to be scheduled” since first appearing in the FY 2022 Capital Plan as a New Project. Including this upcoming fiscal year, the project will have been on the City’s Capital Plan Budget for four years.

Since 2022, the City of Boston has allocated $250,000 in the Capital Plan for a South Boston Branch Library Study to conduct a facility assessment and develop a building program that reflects the BPL’s Compass Principles and supports the needs of the neighborhood. This Study would then contribute towards the design and construction of a new branch library in South Boston to meet the growing needs of the community.

It has long been a goal of Councilor Flynn to have updated and state of the art basic city services and public safety facilities throughout South Boston. A new and updated South Boston Branch Library would follow other significant investments in recent years including the Boston Centers for Youth and Families Curley Community Center (nearly $31 million), along with Capital Budget funding in place for a new EMS Station ($13 million) and Boston Fire Department ($4 million) so far – both to be located in the South Boston Waterfront.

“The South Boston Branch of the Boston Public Library provides a space for learning, access to critical sources of information, and educational resources for residents in the South Boston neighborhood,” said Councilor Flynn. “South Boston residents deserve a new South Boston Branch of the Boston Public Library. It is appropriate for the community to receive an update on the status and timelines associated with this important project.”

For more information, please contact Councilor Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 or [email protected].