Central Library

In a well-intentioned letter (March 27) on the planned closure of school libraries, it was stated that the Central Library of the Los Angeles Public Library system would not be open for business until 1993. Central Library is alive and has been open with all cylinders running since May 15, 1989.

Central Library is in temporary quarters at 433 S. Spring St. but the collection and staff remain one of the top public library resources in the country. Our disastrous fire is but a dark memory as the staff looks with great anticipation toward the opening of the renovated and expanded new building in 1993.

However, we also deplore the closure of school libraries as we truly understand how essential they are in the education and development of young minds. Many of our steady patrons learned to love learning and libraries in their school library. We share their struggle and we fervently hope that school librarians can draw inspiration from our post-fire struggle. It is a tragedy, no matter the source of destruction, when children cannot satisfy their thirst for knowledge in a library because it is closed.

GLEN C. CREASON

Reference Librarian

Central Library