(NECN: Josh Brogadir, Boston, Mass.) - It's the final chapter for some of the branches of the Boston Public Library. The library's Board of Trustees approved a plan to close four neighborhood branches. Tonight, a rally was held outside one of those branches.
This is one of the branches that will close - and with them come job cuts.
It's a decision that is not sitting well with the masses, but library trustees saw this as the least of three evils.
Candles in hand, through damp and dreary rain, an energized group of patrons and supporters of Brighton's Faneuil Library branch made their pitch to keep the doors open.
Patron Liz Breadon said it is another blow to Oak Square that has seen school and church closings.
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Ten year old Lucas Cardoso goes to the library nearly every day and says he gets "sucked into books" he picks up.
Nine year old Xander Kransdorf said if it closes he will "stay in his room and pout."
But those words come too late for the Boston Public Library's trustees to hear, they made their decision at a morning meeting at the library's main Copley branch - voting unanimously with one abstention to help bridge a $3.3 million shortfall.
The solution - cutting 94 workers and shuttering four of the city's 26 branches - Faneuil in Brighton, Lower Mills in Dorchester, Orient Heights in East Boston and Washington Village in the Old Colony Housing projects in Southie.
Trustees seemed reluctant to go in this direction, holding out hope funding can be secured.
Back to Oak Square in Brighton, where complaints about an inadequate 35 day process to make these decisions mixed with the falling rain.
Councilman Mark Ciommo, who represents Allston and Brighton is hopeful the council can change policy to keep the Faneuil branch open.
The building dates back to 1931.
There are two other libraries in this section of the city - one in Allston, and one in Brighton, which is under renovation and not set to reopen until October.
On April 14, Boston Mayor Tom Menino will present his budget to the city council.
The reason for closing these four branches has much to do with four key areas, among them size, energy efficiency, ability to put in more computers, and access to public transportation.
