It's clear now that Amy Ryan, President of the Boston Public Library, was brought on board from Minneapolis in 2008 by Mayor Menino because she had presided over the consolidation of the library system there.  With the announcement of the planned closure of four branch libraries in already underserved areas of the city, Boston's consolidation is now underway.

I think folks are right to be a little riled about it, too.  Not because it might not make for a stronger system in the end, but because the mayor has been sleazy about something dear to people's hearts.  He's obviously been waiting to pounce, and an economic downturn was the perfect pretext.  

Rather than pursue a new vision for the public library system with transparency and integrity, he has offered up a series of ultimatums, and obviously plans to railroad it through. 

As City Councilman Felix Arroyo has suggested, there are legitimate concerns here that should be addressed before moving forward.  He has stated: "Until there is a better understanding of why the library finances are in its current deficit state and a full review of all potential unnecessary expenses and potential revenue options is considered, no branch libraries should be closed."

Even if the Mayor and his minions have been systematically "starving the beast" for the last couple of years, it's hard to pin anything on them.  The real issue is: rather than take responsibility for their priorities, and presenting their argument for a leaner, meaner library system, Menino's administration has chosen dirty dealing.

An audit may not turn up anything incriminating, but I agree with Arroyo that an independent party needs to have a look at the books. If anything, it'd send a message to the Mayor about transparency and trust.