“It’s really about a transformation of the Boston Public Library and how we deliver services most successfully.’’
Amy Ryan, Boston Public Library President
[1] Boston Globe, March 5, 2010

On the heels of the very successful Chinatown Storefront Library, the Mayor proclaimed in major media outlets that potentially 10 branch libraries may see drastic cuts or closings to close the City’s budget gap. This does not bode well for the Chinatown community which has been advocating for a branch library  for almost 10 years. In 2001, a group of teenagers and youth in a summer program led by the Chinese Progressive Association surveyed their peers on what they wanted to see in Chinatown. The goal of this summer program was to encourage youth to take more of an active role in improving the community. From surveying and talking to their peers, this group of youth decided to campaign to bring a Chinatown branch library back.

A Chinatown branch library in the community would serve multiple roles — a library’s traditional role as a vehicle to increase knowledge, a safe space for gathering, and as a cultural center to promote the neighborhood’s history. This was the hidden power of what the Chinatown Storefront Library had unlocked. On the whole, Chinatown can be very divisive on certain issues and so traditionalist and pragmatic at times that there is no room for new or bold ideas.

The Chinatown Storefront Library showed what could be possible when the community unites behind a single goal and is driven to succeed. Led by Chinatown residents with support from community groups and students, they volunteered their time and energy and put together, for 3 months, a temporary storefront library that was once thought impossible. This group of dedicated volunteers provided innovative ideas and bold actions and through all of this, relied on their own source of funding and the community’s contributions.

In the 3 months that the Chinatown Storefront Library existed in what was an empty storefront space, 540 library cards were issued, 5,000 books donated, 1374 books were circulated with half the books in Chinese, 110 events organized and this was accomplished with 39 volunteers and 2 paid staff. As the City continues to talk about cutting 10 branch libraries, the irony is that if Chinatown had waited for our turn and did not “rock the boat”, a Chinatown branch library would never have happened, even if temporarily. The process to have an official BPL branch in Chinatown is rife with politics, red tape, and budget gaps. Even if the red tape can be cut, a site must be designated, capital expenditures set aside, and ongoing programming funds need to be set aside to ensure the library is open, which is all unlikely in the current economic environment.

What the Chinatown Storefront Library demonstrated is that there is high demand and interest for a library in Chinatown, whether it is run by the BPL or by storefront volunteers.  Perhaps what is needed are new ideas and re-evaluation of the role of the City’s public libraries. These new ideas can include a “hybrid”model. In the traditional model, the City pays for everything from the building down to hiring staff. If the community really wants a library, a hybrid model would share the responsibility in running and operating a library - the City could designate a site and provide the capital expenditures with assistance from grassroots fundraising, and the community could share the operating costs and similar to the Storefront Library, organize volunteers to assist with the operation.

Ten years ago, the City led the revitalization plan of Washington Street which has resulted in the Ritz-Carlton, the Loews Theater, Archstone, and the rehab of the old Paramount Theater. Whatever happens, this current Mayor has 4 years left to create another accomplishment in this neighborhood.