Effective October 25, Los Angeles Public Library has increased the open hours of its Central Library and selected branches by 8-12 hours weekly. Public demand for longer and Sunday hours has been strong after the construction and renovation of many buildings funded by a 1989 bond issue. According to City Librarian Susan Kent, "Usage at some branch libraries has increased up to 300%."
Some resistance was voiced by the employees' union during lengthy negotiations with the city, but "in the end both the clerks and the librarians ratified the contract that the union took back to them," Public Information Director Peter V. Persic told American Libraries. "City Council has gone on record saying they will support the additional costs (personnel, collections, energy) that go along with the new and remodeled facilities."
Posted October 26, 1998.