In Boston, Mayor and Librarian Clash Over Control
If this city is known for both intellectual heft and political blood sport, the Boston Public Library, one of its proudest institutions, aligns itself strictly with the former. But in recent months, the august library has been at the center of some nasty political tussles.
Its trustees, appointed by Mayor Thomas M. Menino, voted last fall to oust the library’s president, who then complained publicly that Mr. Menino was “anti-intellectual” and had ordered him to hire certain people.
Now, City Hall has informed the president, Bernard Margolis, that it will take control of the library’s nearly 200 trust funds — private contributions and bequests totaling about $54 million — to better monitor how the money is spent. The plan has incensed Mr. Margolis and some of his allies, who say it could have a chilling effect on donors and even lead to the money being spent outside the library system.
Read entire article at NYT
Its trustees, appointed by Mayor Thomas M. Menino, voted last fall to oust the library’s president, who then complained publicly that Mr. Menino was “anti-intellectual” and had ordered him to hire certain people.
Now, City Hall has informed the president, Bernard Margolis, that it will take control of the library’s nearly 200 trust funds — private contributions and bequests totaling about $54 million — to better monitor how the money is spent. The plan has incensed Mr. Margolis and some of his allies, who say it could have a chilling effect on donors and even lead to the money being spent outside the library system.