Philly Mayor to Lease Closing Libraries

The mayor of Philadelphia has preliminary agreements with private foundations and nonprofits to manage at least five of the 11 libraries the city is closing out of budget concerns, the Inquirer reports. The new institutions, which Michael Nutter said he hopes will become “knowledge centers,” will retain collections and equipment, but no city employees. The plan is part of a broad initiative to close a $1 billion gap.

The services offered at the former libraries will depend on who steps up to run them. But Nutter contends that a trained staff is not the only merit of the institution. “Libraries are much more than repositories for books,” he said. “They are the absolute complete nexus of community life.” Nutter expressed hope all 11 of the libraries will one day be transformed in this way. The City Council and other opponents have challenged the closures. (More Philadelphia stories.)