Boston Public Library FY2027 Budget Holds Flat at $50.7 Million, Avoiding Layoffs

BOSTON -- May 19, 2026, Boston City Council reviews flat $50.7 million Boston Public Library budget for FY2027, avoiding layoffs but raising service concerns. The Ways and Means Committee heard Tuesday from BPL President David Leonard, who described a proposed $50,724,000 operating budget, roughly $1.5 million below maintenance level, achieved by holding between 45 and 55 vacancies unfilled rather than eliminating filled positions. CFO Emily Tokarczyk detailed the collections squeeze: digital titles cost an average of $70 each, are licensed for only two years, and are in such demand that the library's 417 copies of the newly released novel Yesteryear face a waiting list of more than 4,600 patrons, with hold times of up to 305 days; clearing all holds in one month would cost $55,000 for that title alone. Two officers of the BPL Professional Staff Association testified against the budget: chief steward Bryce Kieran-Healy called it "an attempt to balance the books on the backs of library patrons and library workers alike," and PSA president Alison Khan warned that "this budget has incredibly real impacts on the people who need us the most." The five-year capital plan totals approximately $231 million; the Fields Corner Branch renovation is nearly complete, the South End Branch has received budget-office release authorization to begin contractor bidding, and the Eggleston Square Branch remains in the plan but without a committed construction year.