Boston Residents Fight to Keep 4 Neighborhood Branches Open

LINK

Link to October 26 Boston Globe article, "Rhetoric softens to keep library branches open".

Excerpt:   Boston Public Library president Amy E. Ryan expressed a renewed openness yesterday to keep doors open at four neighborhood branches scheduled to close at the end of March. But any reprieve would require a fresh infusion of cash.

An additional $372,000 would keep the four buildings open through the fiscal year, which ends June 30, according to library officials. That brief stay would push talks about any closures into next year’s budget, acting like a reset button for a controversy smoldering for months.

“If more funding is available for the branches, I’m in favor of keeping all the branches open,’’ Ryan said yesterday in an interview. “I would make that recommendation to the library Board of Trustees, who I believe would support this option.’’

The subtle but significant shift in tone from the library, which had been resolved to shutter the branches to stabilize the system, buoyed the spirits of residents fighting to save the branches. It also increased pressure on Boston’s delegation at the State House to find the money.

Related articles:
Editorial takes library officials to task.  (9/11/2010)
BPL on the ropes.  (7/1/2010)
Four library branch closings delayed.  (6/22/2010)
Boston Magazine profiles Amy Ryan, Public Library President.  (6/5/2010)
State funding at risk.  (4/29/2010)
Library board votes to close 4 branches.  (4/10/2010)
Recommendation to close 4 branches (among other cuts).  (4/8/2010)
More than 100 gather to fight possible branch library closings.  (4/4/2010)
The Skinny on Boston's branch libraries.  (4/1/2010)
Library measures data published.  (3/31/2010)
Don't close the book on us. (3/29/2010)
Citywide Friends of BPL to Hold Demonstration.  (3/28/2010)
BPL Budget News Available at Website.  (3/25/2010)
A Small Branch Makes a Big Impact.  (3/24/2010)
Friends of Boston Public Library Host Read-in to Support Tax Increase. (3/14/2010)
Emotions Reach Boiling Point in Boston Public Library Discussion. (3/13/2010)
The Boston Public Library Dilemma, Continued. (3/12/2010)
Boston Speaks Up for Its Libraries. (3/10/2010)
Boston Public Library Branches to be Ranked in Consolidation Plan. (3/9/2010)
Boston Public Library Anticipating Budget Cuts in 2011. (3/2/2010)