L.A. Public Library cuts prompt demonstration outside Central Library [Updated]

Los Angeles Public Library supporters are planning to gather outside Central Library on Monday to protest a two-day-a-week closure caused by budget cuts.

The demonstration is set to start at 9:30 a.m. outside the Fifth Street entrance, 630 W. Fifth Street, said Mark Siegel, a city librarian.

Each of the city's 73 libraries will now be closed Sundays and Mondays because of a massive budget shortfall. Library services absorbed a 28% reduction in its workforce.

Siegel said at least seven librarians and 50 support staff have been laid off in the restructuring. He said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the City Council had misplaced priorities in allowing the cuts.

"We just completed a massive rebuilding program, and people aren't able to use their libraries," he said. "We want them to move us up on the list."

-- Catherine Saillant

[Updated at 3:21 p.m.: An earlier headline on this post incorrectly said the protest would be held outside the main branch.]

Comments

[Bailey]

A Shame. But at least unionized employees can still go to strip clubs and retire at age 55 with full benefits and a pension. And after all, what's more important?

[sethook]

Why not partially fund the libraries thru admittance fees? That would allow the costs to be borne by the users as well as the taxpayers, some of who never use the facilities. Just charge a $3.00 entrance fee to help offset the costs. I would guess the people who need to have the facility open daily would be more than willing to help defray the costs.

[sethook]

Why not partially fund the libraries thru admittance fees? That would allow the costs to be borne by the users as well as the taxpayers, some of who never use the facilities. Just charge a $3.00 entrance fee to help offset the costs. I would guess the people who need to have the facility open daily would be more than willing to help defray the costs.

[Rosee]

I understand budget cuts...but to close the library on a Sunday...when this is a day that many have the day off to use and not to mention the students who need the facilities for their research is ridiculous.

If they have to close 2 days a week...the weekend days are not the way to go! Whomever makes these decisions obviously doesn't use these libraries...a mind is a terrible thing to waste!

[Dena Leichnitz]

Sethook, get off the crack! $3.00 just to walk into a library. This is not a nightclub sweetie. I use the library almost every day. If we did what you said, I would be paying about $120 a month just to use the library for me and my son! There is no way I could afford that! There is an internet cafe that I also attend to use the internet, but since it is also about three bucks to use the internet, I don't use it too frequently. It is the poor who depend on the library for things like the internet and what not. We do pay for things in the library like copies and printing, that is one thing but to charge a cover fee is unjust. In the Pasadena Library, you can do the computer for free for like an hour and a half, after that they have pay internet machines. That is something that would be workable. I wouldn't mind that. But you charge an admittance fee and the libraries will shut down completely.

[Mario Vega]

I like the idea of admittance fee. $1 is the more proper amount though. It is a tough economy after all.