Baltimore County library CEO faces backlash after abrupt librarian layoffs and rehiring
By Céilí Doyle, 11/18/2025 2:47 p.m. EST, Updated 11/19/2025 11:20 a.m. EST
Some community members have voiced dissatisfaction with Sonia Alcántara-Antoine in wake of controversy
In a cramped meeting room on the ground floor of the Baltimore County Public Library’s Towson branch, CEO Sonia Alcántara-Antoine sat stone-faced.
For 40 minutes — as community members questioned her leadership, character and even her belief in democratic values — she laced her fingers in her lap and listened without expression during the library’s board of trustees meeting on Tuesday.
“You’re all complicit,” Nicole Dvorak, a former staffer, told the library’s leader and its board of trustees.
Last week, Alcántara-Antoine fired 14 part-time librarians only to rehire them two days later following a massive public backlash.
On Monday, library officials announced the departure of the system’s human resources director, Robin Linton, whom Alcántara-Antoine said resigned.
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IAM Local 4538 President Anita Bass said Linton’s resignation wasn’t enough, and that the CEO needed to take responsibility.
“[Your actions were] embarrassing, humiliating and dehumanizing,” she said, staring directly at Alcántara-Antoine. “I don’t understand what you were thinking. We are unionized! You fired one of our negotiators.”
Initially, library officials said the layoffs were necessary to better serve the county and preserve resources. They said past library leaders decided to phase out part-time librarians and that the layoffs finalized the long-term decision.
Baltimore County Public Library employs 515 people across 19 branches. Its 2025 operating budget is $51 million, including $41 million in county funding.
Continue/Read Original Article: https://www.thebanner.com/politics-power/local-government/baltimore-county-public-library-ceo-dismissal-YUEUSSJHCJFN3KKYURLR2AZLFE/
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