Boston PL defends reputation in wake of scathing report.(U.S. and International)(public library)

A story in the March 11 Boston Globe claimed that a new study shows the Boston Public Library is underperforming when compared to other large public libraries in terms of circulation, visitors, and public relations. The newspaper reported that the "preliminary findings" included no recommendations but had prompted an unnamed "city watchdog" to speculate that Boston "must consider consolidating and closing some of the city's 27 branches," despite the fact that the city is planning to open a new branch in Mattapan and a combined school library and city branch in Dorchester.

The problem with the Globe story, BPL President Bernard Margolis told American Libraries, is that it was …