The Brookings Institution calls libraries vital “third places” within a community. After home and work, third places play a critical role in building community cohesiveness. Few enduringly American institutions have as much multigenerational appeal as the community library. Elementary school children gather for a story hour, high school and college students research term papers, and adults take continuing education classes or attend a community meeting.
As former CEO of Natixis Investment Managers and now President of Boston-based 1251 Asset Management, John Hailer spearheaded various philanthropic initiatives, including charitable giving centered around preserving local libraries.
He was drawn to the Boston Public Library by its ability to transcend boundaries and enrich the lives of those in need.
“The library cuts across the city. It’s a safe haven for a lot of children and a lot of adults, especially ones that may not be comfortable in other parts of the community,” he explains. “The pandemic really brought into focus the need to be able to connect into virtual learning.”
Then-mayor Thomas Menino appointed John Hailer to the Boston Public Library’s Board of Trustees in 2012 and he later served as Chairman.
Youth services were a key focus for Hailer, including the development of a teenage area where kids from all parts of the city can come after school and feel protected and safe and a new youth center for younger kids.
“I grew up in Boston and libraries were always very important to me. More than just a place for reading and learning, libraries are a backstop to education. They’re safe zones, especially during these challenging times, for immigrants, underserved populations, and for people of all ages. And I think libraries can do a lot more when we invest in them and give them an opportunity to play the broader role they were designed for,” Hailer explains.
Hailer spearheaded a number of new initiatives at the BPL.
“We invested in our branch networks and in new technology to allow for better connectivity to the 35 million items in our collection for people of all ages across our community and even across the world,” said Hailer.
“Providing better access to our collection builds bridges from our community to communities around the world, and it helps newer populations in Boston to connect with their own cultures through the library system. That creates a sense of ownership and belonging, not just at the library, but in our community.”
And while John Hailer embraces the Boston Public Library’s educational role, he also sees the institution as an advocate for community growth.
“We are constantly asking ourselves how we can be doing more and how we can play a greater role, not just in supporting vital community services, but in fostering them as well, helping organizations grow, and serving as a connector in the communities we serve,” he says. “We need to think beyond libraries as a repository of books but as an opportunity to interact with more of the community.”
That includes matching services to local demographics and needs.
“In Boston, we’ve invested a lot in ESL [English as a second language] programs,” Hailer said.
Libraries can also be a bridge between the public and private sectors.
“Look at the local business community, whether it’s main street or Wall Street. Libraries can use their platforms to connect corporations to the community for the benefit of both.”
Investment in libraries has been shown to have tangible results. A 2021 study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago found that investments in local libraries translate into higher test scores in adjacent school systems.
