Los Angeles County libraries are losing $2.3 million this year out of a budget of $81 million, due to California revenue shortfalls. Nancy Mahr, public information officer for the County of Los Angeles Public Library, said in the September 14 Los Angeles Times that the cut “doesn’t sound like much, but it’s amazing how even a small cut can affect the service when you’re using every dollar as carefully as possible.” The loss leaves a mere $3 million to purchase materials for 84 libraries and three bookmobiles.
Consequently, the San Dimas branch is dropping about 80 subscriptions to make ends meet, and its Friends group is sending out a flier to 1,200 businesses asking them to adopt a magazine. The Claremont branch asked for and got a boost of $10,000 from the city September 10, while the La Verne branch received contributions from the police and firefighters associations. La Verne Library Manager George May told the Times he has asked for $1,000 from the city to save 17 subscriptions; otherwise he will have to cancel a total of 49 magazines, about half of those currently received.
County Librarian Margaret Donnellan Todd said that cuts in hours and service were averted in June when the county board of supervisors voted to give $7.2 million to the library system.
Posted September 23, 2002.