By Alex Robinson
Borough President Melinda Katz has thrown her support behind a state bill that she said would enhance oversight and transparency at Queens Library.
Katz, along with every Queens City Council member, sent a letter to state leaders urging them to pass the bill, which would reform the appointment of the library’s board of trustees and specify how they should be removed if necessary.
“In order for elected officials to continue allocating millions of dollars to the library each year, we need to understand clearly how taxpayer money is being spent,” she said in the letter.
The nonprofit has been under fire since recent allegations of fiscal mismanagement surfaced along with the revelation the library’s president, Thomas Galante, makes a $392,000 salary.
The library’s board of trustees recently voted against completely opening the organization’s books to city Comptroller Scott Stringer’s office, which is trying to conduct an audit of the nonprofit.
Reach reporter Alex Robinson by e-mail at arobinson@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.
