Financial Argument for Downsizing the Library Does Not Add Up The Boston Public Library has proposed to cut 25% of the staff and close 15% of the branches to fill a budget gap that is less than .2% of the city’s total 2011 budget. What we have not been told, by anyone, is how this [...]

Short-term solution is not long-term strategy Media coverage of the Boston Public Library crisis points to money as being the best reason to undertake change and some view the closure of libraries as a sound long-term financial strategy. However, the budget gap, even in these dire financial times, is merely .1% of the city’s budget [...]