Boulder Library District Slashes Security, Cuts Staff Amid Revenue Drop

URGENT UPDATE: The Boulder Public Library District (BPLD) has just announced significant cuts to security and staffing across multiple branches due to a dramatic revenue drop. Starting immediately, the Meadows Library, George F. Reynolds Library, and the newly opened Gunbarrel Branch will no longer have dedicated security guards, while security at the main library will also be reduced.

The BPLD Board of Trustees officially approved these cuts during a budget meeting last week. The latest budget reveals a revenue decline from approximately $26.2 million to $21.7 million, marking a staggering decrease of over $4.4 million. As part of this budget adjustment, the BPLD plans to cut its security services spending by 44%, slashing it from $830,000 to $462,920.

Library director David Farnan stated that the decision was largely influenced by the low number of security incidents reported—only one at Reynolds and twelve at Meadows over the past year. “Incidents are way down,” Farnan emphasized, noting increased library usage with patron visits up 25-30% across branches.

However, the cuts raise concerns about patron safety, especially given the heightened security measures implemented in 2022 after alarming reports of meth contamination in the main library’s bathrooms. “We made a commitment to ensure that nothing like that would ever happen again,” Farnan said, underscoring the delicate balance between safety and budget constraints.

In addition to security reductions, the BPLD is cutting 11.5 staff positions, impacting both full-time and part-time employees. While some positions affected are currently vacant, two staff members have already been laid off. Salaries for remaining staff will decrease by 4%, from over $10.45 million to just under $10 million. Farnan expressed regret over these layoffs, stating, “It sucks. You’re letting go of good people because the money isn’t there.”

The Board of Trustees is also considering an in-house solution for custodial services to save costs, which may add approximately four new positions. This decision comes as BPLD employees are currently organizing a unionization effort, aiming to restore collective bargaining rights lost in the 2022 separation from the city.

A special meeting to discuss union matters is scheduled for December 2, 2023, which could further influence the library’s operational structure and employee welfare.

As these developments unfold, patrons and community members are left to wonder about the potential impacts on library services and safety. The BPLD’s financial struggles highlight the broader challenges facing public institutions in maintaining services amid budgetary constraints.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story and the implications for Boulder’s library community.