L.A. Library

Recently, The Times printed an article (Part A, March 12) and an editorial (“Libraries on the Chopping Block,” March 16) on public libraries. However, despite your awareness of the state of libraries nationwide, you have all but ignored the Los Angeles Public Library. Included in this same article is a graph showing the LAPL budget as being lower than everyone except Detroit, San Diego and San Bernardino, without comment.

This is disgraceful. Los Angeles suffers criticism from all sides for its lack of culture, yet justifies that criticism by failing to support the worthiest institution in town. It would appear, based on the library budget, that our representatives in city government have underestimated public support for libraries. Voters in Los Angeles have recently voiced their support of libraries through passage of a bond issue for library construction by a margin of better than 2 to 1.

Support for libraries is a multifaceted issue. The collection (books, periodicals, audiovisual materials, computers and software, etc.) is what makes a library, not the buildings, but neither can function without the other. In addition, neither the building nor the collection is usable without a first-class staff of professionals to make both accessible to the public.

Other areas where today’s cuts will run up tomorrow’s bills include literacy, education and most importantly, democracy. The editorial referred to the “Gift of knowledge.” This is ridiculous. As Americans, we have a right to knowledge. As citizens in a democratic society, we are completely dependent on an educated and informed electorate to provide us with the quality of government that these complex times require.

I agree with your editorial; however, it fails to point out that the problem goes much further than a myopic “Education President.” Elected officials at all levels of government must rally to support libraries.

ARTHUR POND

President, Librarians’ Guild

AFSCME Local 6226, Los Angeles