LIBRARY TALK HUSHED
Authorities mum on ‘personnel matter’
The Boston Police Department is “reviewing” a “personnel matter” at the Boston Public Library — while City Hall and the BPL remain tight-lipped about why three administrators have been placed on unpaid leave.
BPL spokeswoman Lisa Pollack confirmed that the library had referred “a matter” to the police, but refused to elaborate.
“As this issue remains pending, we can not comment any further,” Pollack told the Herald.
Boston police spokesman Sgt. John Boyle said, “The Boston Public Library has referred a personnel matter to the Boston Police Department for review. We have no comment at this time as the matter is pending.”
Boyle insisted the matter is not at the level of investigation, saying police are at this stage “reviewing” issues at the library.
The acknowledgement of police action comes two days after the Herald reported that three BPL managers have been placed on administrative leave pending the results of an internal investigation. The BPL yesterday continued to decline to release the names and job titles of the three people, what allegations they might be facing, and what circumstances led to the internal investigation.
Laura Oggeri, spokeswoman for Mayor Martin J. Walsh, told the Herald yesterday that the mayor would not comment on the library issue. She directed all questions to the BPL.
“You’d have to reach out to the library,” Oggeri said.
BPL President David Leonard has not responded to interview requests. BPL board of trustees Chairman Robert Gallery has refused to comment. Sam Tyler, president of the Boston Municipal Research Bureau government watchdog organization, said the fact that cops are now involved just lends further credence to the appearance that something is again awry in the library.
“That would indicate that it’s a serious problem,” Tyler told the Herald.
Three years ago, thenPresident Amy Ryan was forced out after the mysterious disappearance of two pieces of art at the Copley Square branch. The FBI and other law enforcement agencies joined the search for the missing 1504 engraving by Albrecht Durer, worth $600,000, and a 1634 Rembrandt etching, worth up to $30,000, as both were feared stolen. But just one day after Ryan said she was quitting, the valuable art turned up, tucked away just 80 feet from where they were supposed to be filed.
That followed on the heels of a $130,000 outside audit of the BPL that blasted the way the library manages its special collections. At that time, Walsh replaced the chairman of the board — which he appoints — and the board promoted longtime BPL administrator Leonard to president.
The current fiscal year’s budget allocates $72 million for the library system. The BPL is a city department that’s governed by the trustees Walsh appoints.
Walsh has been heavily criticized in recent months for a lack of transparency. The NAACP and others slammed the mayor last month after the city’s School Committee signed off on Walsh’s pick for interim superintendent just two weeks after now-former Superintendent Tommy Chang resigned.