QUEENS — Queens Library users will now be able to follow the money.
As the institution is trying to repair its reputation following the firing of its former boss, Thomas Galante, accused of out-of-control spending, a new online tool, slated to launch Tuesday, will allow patrons to trace all its capital projects.
The move comes as the library received the largest capital funding in a single year in its history — $50.9 million, the library said. The money, allocated for fiscal year 2017, will be used to build and renovate a number of branches.
The Capital Projects Tracker will list all the projects currently being worked on, such as roof replacement or cafeteria renovation. It will also include their scope and price tag, who funded them and their construction stage, from the first phase to when the project has been completed and put into public use, the library said.
When it rolls out on the library's website Tuesday, it will list more than 160 different project, the library said.
“We are the only NYC library to be offering such detailed, transparent information,” library spokeswoman Joanne King, said in an email. “Considering the dollar value of our capital program, Queens Library feels it is owed to the public.”
In a message to patrons, the new president and CEO of the library Dennis Walcott said that the new tool is also part of his push for transparency and accountability.
Information will be updated quarterly, allowing library users to “easily see the status of projects and learn more about how the Library is working to advance our capital program,” Walcott said.
