In the wake of accusations that suspended Queens Library (QL) president and CEO Thomas W. Galante mishandled library funds, Council Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer (D–Queens) proposed legislation on October 21 that would require all three of New York’s public library systems to publicly disclose how their money is spent. Before joining the council, Van Bramer served as Chief External Affairs Officer of QL. Galante was placed on indefinite, paid administrative leave September 11 by QL’s reorganized board of trustees, after it cooperated with demands to hand over to New York City comptroller Scott Stringer the library’s financial records involving private donations. Galante had been accused of accepting excessive compensation, spending too many hours on an outside consulting gig, and of making unneeded renovations to executive conference rooms and an outdoor meeting area for his personal benefit, as well as steering contracts to an acquaintance. Stringer’s office also initiated an FBI investigation. The new City Council legislation consists of a package of six bills. These would require that the operations, budget, and staffing of the libraries be monitored by the City of New York Department of Investigations on an ongoing basis; that all library projects managed by the New York City Department of Design and Construction provide a detailed project report outlining the use of funds and naming the contractor; that all “large city contractors” (individuals or corporations who enter into a contract of $50 million of more with the city—which would include all three library systems) disclose any conflicts of interest; that library contracts in progress post quarterly reports; that executed contracts post quarterly reports; and that the public portion of library board meetings be webcast by the New York City Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications.

LIBRARIES, LAWMAKERS SUPPORT TRANSPARENCY

The legislation would, in effect, be subjecting libraries to the same oversight process as many other New York City government departments. Brooklyn Public Library (BPL), New York Public Library (NYPL), and QL board members would be required to file financial disclosure statements with the Conflicts of Interest Board revealing any outside income or interests, holding them to the same standards as some 8,500 New York City employees, elected officials, and candidates for office. While former members of the QL board had originally resisted demands from the comptroller’s office requiring them to give up the private donation records, after the mayor and borough president used a newly passed state law to remove the objectors from office the current board appears to be cooperative and eager to move on from a troubled chapter in the library’s history. Gabriel Taussig, chair of the QL Board of Trustees, said in a statement, “Queens Library has one goal: to serve the people of Queens with the best in information and educational programs and services. Transparency facilitates that ideal. The Board has been working diligently to implement new good governance policies and increase transparency. While the Board has not had the opportunity to consider the specific proposals introduced in the Council today, we welcome any additional measures that reasonably help us further these goals." This past June, The New York City Council and Mayor Bill de Blasio increased QL’s funding by $2.8 million for FY15. The library, lifting its hiring freeze of several years, has already brought on 19 new full-time union employees for clerical positions throughout the QL system and will be filling more positions as needed in the coming months. In a similar statement made the day of the city council meeting, NYPL said, “We certainly embrace transparency, and more broadly are enthusiastic about everything we can do with our partners in city government that will help towards our common goal of providing the best library service to the people of New York." BPL stated, “We're reviewing the legislation and will continue to work cooperatively with the City Council on our shared goal of providing the excellent library service New Yorkers deserve." The bills were introduced in the New York City Council meeting of October 22, and referred to the appropriate committees. If passed, they would become local laws amending New York’s city charter. Library spokespersons noted to LJ that the new legislation will no doubt undergo a process of revision and debate before it reaches its final form. Council Member Costa Constantinides, chair of the council’s sub-committee on libraries and cosponsor of five of the six bills, said in a statement, “Transparency is needed when taxpayer money is allocated.  We deserve to know how our libraries are spending their capital funding. That's why I'm proud to co-sponsor [the bills] and I commend my colleague…Jimmy Van Bramer for his leadership on this important issue.” As of press time, Van Bramer had not yet responded to LJ’s request for comment on the issue.