Councillors Marjorie C. Decker and Kathleen L. Born had adamantly opposed expanding the Broadway branch, saying the Central Square site would be more accessible from public transit. Central Square is known as the civic center of Cambridge, located near shops, restaurants and other popular destinations, they said.

Free from the constraints of expanding the Broadway building, with its old-fashioned architecture, the new facility could be "sparkling" and "sleek," Born said.

"It's a vision of a library that is urban, thriving and accessible," Decker said.

Initially, Decker and Born joined Councillors Jim Braude and Henrietta Davis in a procedural vote that would have supported the Central Square site.

But just minutes before the final vote, saying her last-ditch attempts at persuasion had failed and saying it was clear the Broadway site would prevail, Decker said she was "prepared to move forward."

"I'm afraid this issue is as close to a tie as we can get. I'm disappointed but I'm not bitter. I'm willing to move forward from this point," Born added.

Though no positions were changed last night, councillors passed two amendments to the bill giving final site approval that reflected ongoing anxieties about the library plans.