There were multiple reports that 14 employees lost their jobs on Wednesday from the Baltimore County Public Library.
BCPL confirmed the firings took place but said they rehired the 14 employees on Friday. They released the following statement
“On Wednesday, November 12, Baltimore County Public Library informed 14 part-time librarians their positions were eliminated as part of a decade-long decision to phase-out part-time librarians. While the operational intent behind the decision was to enhance the level of service at the branches, we acknowledge this process was not handled with the respect and transparency our part-time librarians deserved.
To that end, effective immediately, Baltimore County Public Library is reinstating the 14 part-time librarians and their positions. Library leadership will work with key stakeholders to determine the best path forward for this position. We continue to encourage the impacted employees to apply to available openings, several of which are full-time librarian opportunities.
Baltimore County Public Library prides itself on being a trusted community pillar and understands this recent decision, and its communication, may have undermined that trust. Our goal is to restore the community’s confidence in the coming days, weeks and months. The library’s priority is to support staff and strengthen service at our 19 branches to meet the needs of Baltimore County residents today and into the future.”
Before BCPL reinstated their employees, Baltimore County Government sent out a statement addressing the original firings.
“We are concerned about what appears to be an abrupt and untimely dismissal of 14 Baltimore County Public Library staff members- some of whom have given many years of service to our community,
“As a component unit of Baltimore County Government, Baltimore County Public Library is solely governed-and accountable’ to the Board of Trustees.
“We emphasize with this coming to terms with the loss of their jobs this holiday season and encourage all who are affected to explore openings and resources with Baltimore County Government.”
Councilman David Marks also stated his displeasure of the original firings.
“The County Council approved a 3.5 percent increase for the Baltimore County Public Library system. We were never told about these layoffs, or the manner in which they were to be carried out. The system should reverse this action,” Marks said.
