BPL Trustees Can’t Stop “Listening,” But Are They “Hearing?”

Even though Boston residents have said loudly and clearly at two packed Central Library meetings that they don’t want their libraries closed, BPL trustees have scheduled six more “listening” meetings, ostensibly to hear more of the same and make sure they’ve heard it right. Rumors have it that in some bars bets are being placed on whether the BPL and its trustees are not just “listening” but also “hearing.”

The next BPL Trustees “Special” Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 24 at 3:00 PM at the Rabb Auditorium. There will be no vote on any proposed closings at that time but the BPL will offer  ”further discussion of a vision for the Boston Public Library,” another “review of the proposed FY11 budget for the Central Library and for administration and operations” and “a review of public participation” and (as yet undefined) “measures.”

That is only the beginning. There will be five additional “listening sessions” at the following locations:

1. Saturday, March 27, at Harborside Community Center, 10:00-11:30 am, 312 Border Street in East Boston

2. Saturday, April 3, at Codman Square Branch Library, 2:00-3:30 pm, 690 Washington Street in Dorchester

3. Monday, April 5, at Honan-Allston Branch Library, 6:00-7:30 pm, 300 North Harvard Street in Allston

4. Tuesday, April 6, at Curley Middle School, 6:00-7:30 pm, 493 Centre Street in Jamaica Plain

5. Wednesday, April 7, at <http://www.bpl.org>www.bpl.org (online moderated chat) 6:00-7:30 pm.