L.A. library cuts prompt protests

Los Angeles Times

L.A. Now Blog

July 19, 2010

Catherine Saillant and Mark Boster

Los Angeles Public Library supporters gathered on Monday at the Central Library in downtown Los Angeles to protest a two-day-a-week closure caused by budget cuts.

Library officials said the city's ongoing financial crisis has forced their department to absorb a 28% reduction in its workforce.

Hours at the city's 64 branch libraries also have been reduced because of employee furloughs, or unpaid days off. Starting July 1, library employees were no longer required to take part in that budget-cutting initiative.

Each of the city's 73 libraries will now be closed Sundays and Mondays because of a massive budget shortfall.

Mark Siegel, a city librarian, said at least seven librarians and 50 support staff members 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."

Some city officials said they would like to reverse the cuts if the city's finances improve.