L.A. County to restore library hours cut back in recession
Los Angeles County libraries will restore hours that were cut during the Great Recession, beginning next month.
Dozens of county libraries cut back hours in 2010 to close an $8-million budget gap. That left some open only four days a week.
The county library system -- which serves residents of more than 50 cities and county unincorporated areas -- is one of the largest in the nation, with 86 library branches, three bookmobiles and five resource centers.
The county’s finances have stabilized as an improving economy led to increased property and tax revenue. The Board of Supervisors set aside $3.6 million in this year’s budget, approved in June, to allow library hours to be restored to their pre-2010 levels.
The new hours will take effect Sept. 2. A full listing of new hours is posted on the county library department’s website.
The city of Los Angeles, which also cut back library hours in the recession, restored Sunday hours at nine public libraries earlier this year.
Follow Abby Sewell on Twitter at @sewella for more L.A. County news.
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