The purpose of the case is to analyze public financial management and leadership. The case focuses on Kit Hadley, the director of the Minneapolis Public Library System (MPL), and a number of others that were critical in leading the MPL to consolidate with the Hennepin County Library System (HCL). The case also focuses on both the local public finances that brought the MPL to the consolidation conclusion and the financial agreement between the MPL and HCL to facilitate the consolidation.

Key questions covered include:

• Why did this consolidation effort move forward when previous attempts failed?
• What financial tools were used to understand the financial plight of the Minneapolis Public Library System?
• Was the financial analysis done by the MPL board adequate?
• Was there a better financial choice for MPL than consolidation with Hennepin County?
• Were the finances of the consolidation fair to Minneapolis and Hennepin County?