BALTIMORE (WBFF) — Employees at the Enoch Pratt Free Library say donors deserve more transparency about how donated dollars are being used, raising concerns about spending decisions made after the arrival of a new CEO.
“It’s just disheartening to know what’s happening on the back end behind closed doors that nobody is really trying to discuss,” a library insider who chose not to be identified told FOX45 News.
ALSO READ | Donors fear $45K travel spending by Baltimore library CEO could hurt future contributions
Insiders said issues began to surface after Chad Helton took over as CEO. Helton and his administration made deep cuts to popular programs, including the book mobile, the summer reading program and staff members’ overtime. Not long after those cuts, insiders said Helton and three other librarians took multiple international trips last summer: an eight-day trip to Egypt last June, a trip to China two weeks after returning, and an eight-day excursion to Japan last August.
“I could not understand why you’re telling staff you don’t have money to do anything, but on the other hand, you’re jumping on a flight three times going abroad, taking multiple staff members, people who weren’t relevant to go,” one insider said. “These things could’ve been handled on a Zoom call.”
Helton said the trips allowed librarians to learn about other libraries “with the added intention of strengthening relationships with our international library peers.”
The library insisted tax dollars did not fund the travel, saying the trips were paid for with donated dollars from a discretionary fund. But, donor Frances Muldrow said she did not know donations were being used for travel.
“That money to me seemed like when you donate…it’s for the library not the CEO,” Muldrow said.
“Is he going to be held accountable? Because this is nothing more than a self-serving use of donor money,” taxpayer advocate David Williams said.
One insider estimates the groups travel exceeded $60,000 and urges caution for donors.
“Keep an eye on it and really ask questions. Don’t just trust and take things at face value or for the word of people there because we know the CEO is dishonest and the fish rots from the head,” the insider said.
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