There will be another meeting of the Boston Public Library's Board of Directors this afternoon to discuss branch closures, which the administration seems set on pursuing (one wonders if the thought would even have occurred to Flaherty/Yoon). 



Menino's spokeswoman assured the Globe that it was not the closings themselves that the Mayor was concerned about.  It's "what would happen to some of the buildings when the librariesclosed."

“The mayor has made it very clear he doesnot want to see abandoned buildings in our neighborhoods,’’ she said.

The mayor loves his buildings, doesn't he?  He'll get his Tommy Tower yet, you'll see!  You'll all see!!!

But until then, may I suggest, Mr. Mayor, an obvious use for these useless old library buildings?  I know how you loooooooove those luxury living condos.  Why not convert these useless cornerstones of democracy to high-priced investment properties to reinvigorate the neighborhood?  They'll still be empty most of the time, but real estate prices in Lower Mills and Orient Heights could definitely use the boost.

What's that you say?  No one would buy?  Well, what does that matter?  Looks good on paper anyway.  Even the signs advertising "LUXURY LIVING CONDOS" would up the ante in Eastie.  It's worth a try. 

Menino's spokesbot concluded: “I think he would like to see a reuse of the buildings in line with whatthe community needs and wants.’’

Hmm.

So... can we reuse them as... libraries?

I think that's what  the communities in question are trying to tell you, Mr. Mayor.  A library, even in Lower Mills, shouldn't be a luxury.