A New York State Supreme Court judge, addressing a dispute that’s already been resolved, has dismissed two lawsuits that sought to block the New York Public Library from creating a circulating library inside its main research branch on Fifth Avenue at 42d Street.

The so-called Central Library Plan was largely scuttled last month when the library decided instead to open underused offices in its flagship to the public and to renovate its Mid-Manhattan circulating branch across the street.

“This is like an umpire calling a base runner out three weeks after his team already won the World Series,” said Michael S. Hiller, a lawyer for the scholars who filed one of the lawsuits. “The Central Library Plan was abandoned nearly a month ago. The game is over. I do not understand why the Court issued its decision.”

The library, for its part, commended the two decisions, signed by Justice Paul Wooten on May 30 and released on Monday. “This ruling affirms our ability to move forward with our plan to deliver on the Library’s long-standing priorities in our midtown facilities,” said the library in a statement. “We look forward to working with all library stakeholders to make NYPL even stronger for all New Yorkers.”

Justice Wooten could not be reached for comment.

> via NYT