Boston Public Library Professional Staff Association Joins AFT Massachusetts, MA Library Staff Association

In an overwhelming vote last month, the members of the Boston Public Library Professional Staff Association (BPLPSA) voted to affiliate with AFT Massachusetts and the MA Library Staff Association (MLSA). The MLSA, part of AFT Massachusetts, represents more than 500 public librarians in 31 municipalities across the state of Massachusetts.

“It is my great pleasure to welcome the Boston Public Library Professional Staff Association to the ranks of the Massachusetts Library Staff Association and AFT Massachusetts. What better way to welcome in 2020 than with the affiliation of the dedicated library professionals of the flagship library of the Commonwealth to the MLSA and AFT-MA!,” said Pat Kelly, president of the Massachusetts Library Staff Association. “We are excited to work with the members of the BPLPSA to further our union's shared goals of worker’s rights and unity, social justice, and the advancement of the library profession. Welcome aboard to the members of the BPLPSA: we ARE stronger together!”

The Boston Public Library Professional Staff Association (BPLPSA) was first founded as an association in the 1930’s and was recognized as a union in 1969. The BPLPSA represents professional librarians at the Boston Public Library, as well as professional staff in the Accounting, Communications, Systems, and the Business Departments.

“As the oldest large public library in the country, dating to 1848, it is entirely fitting that the Boston Public Library Professional Staff Association merge with a union formed in 1916 and dedicated to advancing lifelong learning for the public and working conditions for our members,” said Elisa Birdseye, president of the Boston Public Library Professional Staff Association. “Thomas Paine said that it is ‘not in numbers but in unity that our great strength lies,’ but numbers help! We are glad to add ours to yours and move forward in solidarity!”