Springfield considering change in residency requirement for city jobs

SPRINGFIELD — Wearing a pair of earrings in the shape of a Springfield map, Jean Canosa Albano, assistant director of libraries, said she supports a residency rule as a concept for city jobs, but also said the requirement makes it really difficult to find certified librarians, who have to have a master’s degree.

Springfield libraries are an attractive place to work because the system is large, the wages are competitive, and the population is diverse. But, people are turning down the jobs, she said.

With Springfield’s residency rule adding to the challenge of finding and keeping qualified employees in a tight job market, the City Council is taking a first step to look at changing the requirement.