So, as you probably know, on Tuesday a judge ruled that Mayor Nutter couldn’t shut down 11 library branches without City Council approval, foiling Nutter’s plans to close the branches on Dec. 31 to help shore up a budget gap.

Nutter said he would comply with the order, but was vague about what exactly would happen after the New Year’s Day holiday.

Well, PhillyClout just called all 11 branches and got through to librarians at every location who said that the libraries are operating on normal schedules today – and will continue to do so until they get word otherwise.

Common Pleas Judge Idee Fox ruled in favor of seven library patrons and three City Council members who sued Nutter last week, citing a 20-year-old ordinance requiring Council approval to close city buildings.

The city plans to appeal the judge’s ruling, but will wait until after a full written order from Fox, which is expected on Monday.