Life in Rahm’s Chicago. Friday edition.

The Chicago Reader’s Ben Joravsky on Mary Dempsey’s departure as Library Commissioner.

 Mary Dempsey…apparently told the boss what he didn’t want to hear—namely, that firing employees and cutting hours will destroy the library system she spent so many years trying to build up.

Thus, at his introductory press conference, Bannon dutifully nodded along as Mayor Emanuel explained his library cuts this way: “The debate is not just about library hours—[it's] what will our neighborhood branch libraries be like in this information age. We need to define that next mission, write that next chapter and adapt to the changes.”

In other words, let’s pretend that the recent spasm of library cutbacks, firings and closings is part of some larger, well-thought-out strategy.

As opposed to some half-baked budget-cutting idea that popped out of Mayor Rahm’s head in between lunches with members of the millionaire’s club.

Look on the bright side, people—if you need to visit a well-funded library with convenient, seven-days-a-week service, you can always go to Wilmette, the mayor’s hometown.

Somehow or other the library functions in Wilmette without people having to redefine its mission.

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