Measure L Library Funding Election Results: Los Angeles Voters Approve Plan to Reopen 73 Shuttered Libraries

Ted Soqui

Richard J. Riordan Central Library

L.A. voters strongly approved Measure L today, early returns showed. The city ballot initiative increases dedicated spending for the Los Angeles Public Library system by $50 million over the next few years without raising taxes.

Lucy McCoy, chairwoman of Yes on Measure L, said: "Tonight was a vote for keeping our kids safe after school, for helping job seekers get back to work, for seniors looking for a warm place to read and for all the Library goers young and old. Angelenos have sent a clear message that our libraries are a critical part of the fabric of our community."

Last year, the L.A. Weekly feature story "City of Airheads" exposed deep, City Hall-approved budget cuts to L.A. public libraries.

In response, outraged residents began demanding that L.A. City Council members restore funding. L.A. City Councilman Bernard Parks then authored Measure L.

Librarians regularly tell the Weekly that "City of Airheads" was a "turning point" in forcing politicians to reverse their drastic budget cuts.

The Los Angeles Times, however, barely covered the issue, and opposed Measure L in an editorial.

From the Weekly's count, the L.A. Times devoted only 78 or so paragraphs in blog and newspaper coverage out of thousands and thousands of paragraphs written every year about decisions made by the L.A. City Council and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Aside from the dying city of Detroit, Los Angeles has been the only significant U.S. municipality to close down its entire library system two days a week. Soon after the new increase takes hold, public libraries are expected to return to a six-day-a-week schedule citywide.

Eventually, the library system will have the appropriate funding to open the Richard J. Riordan Central Library in downtown and 8 regional libraries seven days a week, with 64 branch libraries operating six days a week.

Over the past few weeks, the Weekly has published numerous blog posts about how the budget cuts have deeply impacted librarians and their patrons, including the fact that students can't use public libraries on Sundays and Mondays to do important school work.

The approval of Measure L will change that.

Contact Patrick Range McDonald at pmcdonald@laweekly.com.

Tags:

Bernard Parks, budget cuts, Los Angeles Public Library, Measure L, Patrick Range McDonald

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Henry

So, where is this money coming from? What services are being cut to make room for this? If they can do this why not increase our Police and Firemen without raising taxes. Or how about adding lanes to all our freeways without raising taxes.

Patricia

I am so happy for this. Thanks people of L.A.

Patrick Range McDonald

Thanks for those kind words about our coverage.

Take care,Patrick Range McDonald,LA Weekly

Helene Mochedlover

Thanks to you, Patrick, and the "L. A. Weekly", for your excellent coverage of the situation at LAPL. "City of Airheads" is a classic example of what good journalism should be, and can do.

Your blog posts and the above article have opened the eyes of L. A. citizens not only to the value of their library system, but also to the fact that they can have an impact on local government. What a great victory for everyone who worked so hard for the success of Measure L !

rdsathene

I'm pleasantly surprised to see the LA Weekly finally take a progressive stance on an issue that effects community members. Given its non-stop cheerleading of school privatization and lionization of affluent charter-voucher moguls, not promoting privatization of libraries is a refreshing stance for your publication.

Carole M. Kealoha

Thank you Patrick for your constant coverage keeping the libraries plight in the public consciousness!!!

Save Nwk Libraries

Congratulations, Angelenos, on turning out the vote and doing the right thing. In introducing Measure L and speaking out about the value and importance of public libraries in building safe, civil, educated, tightly-knit communities, Bernard Parks has set a model for other elected municipal officials who are genuinely committed to the best interests of their constituents. - In addition to Detroit (mentioned above), Newark, NJ closed its entire library system 3 days a week, and all branches were closed 4 days a week (with no weekend service). I know that Newark is smaller in scale, but don't let Cory Booker catch you suggesting that Newark is not "significant." (Although since he was responsible for the cuts in library funding, he probably won't take exception to being slighted). Long live, LAPL!

La gata

Thank you L.A. Weekly for keeping Angelenos informed. It seems that the LA times is becoming obsolete. There coverage of important local issues is dwindling, And they opposed Measure L, downright deplorable.