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Politics & Government

Measure L Called Vital to City's Library System

The city ballot measure is necessary to avoid 'a dismantling of the library system,' says public library official Kristina Morita. Others say it would divert funding from public safety services.

The city's budget woes have hurt its public libraries with staff cutbacks and closed doors, but Measure L on Tuesday's ballot aims to give libraries more support by increasing their city funding to a projected $130 million each year.

The Public Library Funding Charter Amendment would give libraries a bigger share of property tax revenues through an amendment to the City Charter.

Libraries, in return, would be gradually required to pay a bigger share of expenses like salaries, pensions, equipment and building maintenance, so called "direct and indirect" costs, now coming from the city's General Fund.

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Libraries, like many institutions, are having a tough time.

"If Measure L doesn’t pass, we’re looking at a dismantling of the library system," Kristina Morita, assistant general manager of the Los Angeles Public Library, told Encino Patch. "We are then looking at an even further reduction of library services."

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Last summer, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the City Council voted to limit libraries to five-day-a-week service on Tuesdays through Saturdays. That decision was historical since, in their 139-year-history, Los Angeles libraries have always remained open at least six days a week.

Morning and evening hours were also trimmed, and staff (328 positions, more than 25 percent) were eliminated through attrition, layoffs and early retirements.

In January, Gov. Jerry Brown proposed a statewide budget to eliminate all state funding for public libraries—a total of $30.4 million.

All this turmoil has some wondering if it's the beginning of the end for free access to Internet, computers and printers as well as tutoring, literacy programs and, of course, books.

"Right now we are at five days of service; we will go down to four days or three days of service," Morita said. "We’re looking at closing some branch libraries, and we’re looking at layoffs and eliminating popular services like the book reservation service."

Elizabeth Mejia, who uses the free wireless at the Encino-Tarzana library to search for employment opportunities, recalled a frustrating time last fall when the library hours were cut at the branch.

"It's hard because they open so late and close so early now, which also makes it difficult to find a babysitter for my kids," Mejia said. 

Henry Mercado, who has been going to the library for the last 40 years, said the Encino-Tarzana branch has a pretty good selection of movies and enjoys being able to check them out for free. But he is also struggling with the recent change in hours. 

"The Friday hours are hard because I want to rent a video for the weekend and since they aren't open on Monday, you have this long weekend and you can only rent some videos for two days," Mercado said.

Mejia and Mercado echoed the concerns of many since the city's 73 libraries were slammed by budget cuts last year.

Los Angeles Public Library spokesman Peter Persic said the recession has driven more people to the libraries as they cannot afford to either buy or fix their computers or pay for their Internet any longer, and they certainly can’t afford to buy books. He said it's not unusual for there to be a line of 20 people waiting for the library to open.

"We have record attendance and books being checked out, which is actually a trend that's been going on across the nation, and it often happens in a time of economic downturn," Persic said. "In these times, you see library use go up and people turn to the library to get the resources and information they need for free."

Some influential organizations, including the League of Women Voters, are urging people to vote no on Measure L, arguing that those funds that would be earmarked for the libraries are needed to support police and fire services.

"I love the libraries, but what concerns me is that the city says it won't raise taxes, but it is not talking about where the money will come from," said James O'Sullivan, president of Miracle Mile Association and an opponent of Measure L.

O'Sullivan was invited to present his views to the Los Angeles Times before the paper published its editorial opposing the measure.

The Los Angeles Daily News also published an editorial opposing the measure, citing concerns over public safety.     

"The measure could mean cuts to police, fire, parks and recreation, and street services," said Los Angeles Police Protective League President Paul Weber in a statement.

"Measure L simply mandates the movement of money from one pot to another and restricts its use," he said.

Although the Los Angeles Police Department denied a request to comment, it is publicly known that Chief of Police Charlie Beck personally supports Measure L.

So do all 15 L.A. City Council members.

Library officials have responded strongly to criticism that supporting Measure L could jeopardize public safety if less money is available for police. The have said that the libraries play an intrinsic part in helping to prevent crime by offering the city’s largest after-school program, providing children alternatives to gangs and drugs, assisting teens in preparing for college and helping adults and children learn to read. Currently 90,000 children visit the city’s libraries every week.

"The last time the charter was amended was 12 years ago. And in 12 years the cost of living has gone up, the cost of books has gone up and the cost of technology has gone up," Morita said.

"The library’s budget is only 2 percent of the whole city’s budget," she added. "If Measure L passes we’ll still only be 2 percent of the city’s entire budget."

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