Council bucks Nutter on library closings

Jeff Shields reports from City Council chambers:

A divided City Council passed a resolution this morning urging Mayor Nutter to delay the planned closure of 11 library branches and allow time to find alternatives.

Councilwoman Maria Quinones Sanchez's proposal passed 12-5. Opponents said said the resolution had no effect, and would only give residents false hope while undercutting Nutter in time of a financial crisis.

"We don't want to give the wrong impression...that something is going to change," said Councilman William Greenlee, who voted against the resolution along with Council President Anna C. Verna, Majority Leader Marian B. Tasco, Councilman James F. Kenney and Councilman Frank DiCicco.

Councilman Curtis Jones Jr. said he took exception to the suggestion that Council, which has no say in Nutter's decision, was misleading residents.

Click here for Philly.com's politics page.