Library Leaders Clash over Fundraising and Programs
Photo: https://www.joneslibrary.org/
Treasurer Bob Pam Concerned Over Capital Campaign Trend and Programming Cutbacks
The Jones Library Budget Committee met on March 14 to review the FY25 budget. Attending were the two voting trustee members, Treasurer Bob Pam and Capital Campaign Co-chair Lee Edwards. They were joined by Library Director Sharon Sharry and Business Manager John Shannon.
Sharry presented her recommended operating budget, noting that it includes a municipal appropriation of $2,302,071, a 4% increase over FY24. Two line items generated particular concern from Pam.
Sharry projected revenue from the Annual Fund of the Friends of the Jones Library, the library’s private fundraising arm, to be $90,284, a precipitous drop from the $210,852 budgeted in FY24. This change prompted Pam to exclaim, “Yow!”
Edwards offered some reassurance. “It’s a big transitional year coming up [with the library building project assumed to be going forward] … so it’s even harder to predict the future for the year starting July 1 than usual. But I don’t see any particular reason to think that the annual fund will do less well next year. I think in fact it’ll come in at higher than $90,000.”
The library relies on the Friends’ Annual Fund to pay for its community programs, and the need to increase programming has been used to justify constructing a 15,000 sq. ft. addition as part of the $46.1 million renovation-expansion project. Pam has repeatedly called for more programming, not less, during the 18 months that the Jones is expected to be in a temporary location.
He was therefore alarmed to see that Sharry had only projected spending $23,714 for programming in FY25 after budgeting $71,787 the previous year. Pam argued, “During this period of time the more visibility we have the better, not only because we need to deliver services to those who are most in need of them but also because contributors to the library have to see that it continues to function well.”
Sharry defended the programming budget. “Right now we’re being conservative with all our programming dollars. Not only is space going to be an issue, but staff time is going to be an issue. At this time I’m not comfortable asking for more money from the Friends.”
The discussion turned to the building project capital campaign and its latest fundraising report. Pam announced the positive news that during the month of February the Capital Campaign had converted $252,450 from pledges to gifts received. Then he pointed out that the campaign had a disappointing fundraising month with only $1237 in pledges received.
“I am worried because we have made commitments to the town, to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and to a whole variety of people that once it is approved, fundraising would then open up in ways that it had not while [town funding] was still in question and $1200 does not indicate that.“
Robert Pam, Treasurer, Jones Library Trustees
“I am worried,” said Pam, “because we have made commitments to the town, to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and to a whole variety of people that once it is approved, fundraising would then open up in ways that it had not while [town funding] was still in question and $1200 does not indicate that.”
His observation drew an emotional response from Sharry. “Just stop the criticizing,” she said. “Internal/external criticizing is not helpful at all. It’s clickbait. Instead let’s get our hands dirty, get in there and meet with people.”
“My comments are not criticisms they are fact,” countered Pam.
Edwards pointed out that large contributors were still being courted. “Yesterday we led a library tour for someone with the potential to be a significant donor, and the reason that this meeting is going to be short today is because I’m leading a library tour with someone who has the potential to be a significant donor. We’ll see. I do my best.”
The time came for the committee to vote to approve the director’s budget to the Board of Trustees. Pam moved to increase the Programming line item from $23,714 to $40,000.
“Are you kidding me?” asked Sharry.
Edwards pointed out that the motion needed to be seconded, and she did not come forward to second it.
Conceding defeat, Pam asked that the director’s budget be considered for approval. Edwards seconded.
“Aye,” voted Edwards. “Nay,” voted Pam.
The Budget Committee meeting was adjourned with no decision made on whether to recommend the FY25 Jones Library operating budget.
7 weeks after the Jan 31 deadline, the $2,000,000 owed the town is still .$400,000 short.
With only $1237 in pledges last month, we cannot expect Friends of the Jones to meet their commit, It is time to pull the plug on this troubled project.
The town’s most foundational respnsibilities all have budget woes:: fire safety, navigable roads, and schooling our children. Prioritize, please!
Wow! Am I reading this right? The Capital Campaign spent $19000 last month to raise $1237 in pledges?
Losing ground?
Thank you for your article, Jeff. There is an elephant in the room, I think. Maybe she is trying to give birth to another kind of program for our beloved Jones?
I agree with Bob Pam that doing more programming makes sense while fund raising is supposed to be ongoing in light of the proposed demolition/renovation. Bids are being sought at present. When I was part of a large art organization looking to renovate, and working with an architect to design an addition, programming off-site was indeed what we did. It kept things focused with eyes on the prize. But to do so, in temporary location (s) (as yet unspecified), may give the lie to the idea of a much larger footprint for the Jones as the ultimate prize. I don’t think we need a much bigger, bumped-out, library. During the proposed demolition and construction period, library programming could happen in other locations, either on town properties or partners in literacy, the performing arts, engagement with families and young children, or whatever.
This suggests, to me, that a much less centralized library building, is actually what’s needed, moving away from issues like sight-lines, and rooms full of stacks of books. That is not to say that there are not *really crucial* needs for the existing building – such as the roof. Or the HVAC system, or things like the carpeting. Or things I want to see safely and beautifully incorporated in the Jones like the Civil War tablets. Or improved work spaces for our staff. But the Jones might be a ‘library of things” rather than a library of books going forward. I don’t doubt it is very complex because America’s public libraries are on the forefront of protecting a lot of our most cherished things as a country.
That said, it is hard (I find) to make a case for financial support for the overblown building project in light of the needs of our public schools, our DPW and Central Fire station, our roads, and our diverse populations that somehow never quite appear to be doing as well as other, more comfortable, interested constituencies in town.
The Library is actually still $900,000 short of what they said would be paid to the town (not $400,000). The $800,000 that was received on 2/26/24 plus the $300,000 received as of 2/6/24 only comes to $1,100,000 of the $2,000,000 due by 1/31/24.
The Library had handed over $500,000 to the town in June of 2022 but that wasn’t part of the payment plan described in the cash flow analysis presented to the Town Council when they voted to authorize borrowing the ~$46M.
Thanks, Maria, for clarifying the Jones Library demolition project funding record. On first instance, this sort of financial obfuscation by the demolition boosters can be seen as an innocent mistake. But when it becomes a pattern, then intent can be inferred. And that can have serious consequences….