BOOK BINDING: Try running a county library...

BOOK BINDING: Try running a county library system with a 30% budget cut this year. . . . Orange County head librarian John Adams summarizes it: “We’re not open as much, we don’t have as much to offer, and there’s not as many of us here to help you.” The 27-branch library has been buying only one-fourth of the new books it bought last year, and has had to cut its hours almost in half.

NOW THEY TELL HIM: If the country had voted the way of Orange County last November, George Bush would still be president. But a new Common Cause study shows why the county was a disappointment to him: No $100,000 contributors from here to the Republican cause last year. In 1988, there were six. . . . The single largest Orange County donor last year, according to the study: The Irvine Co. gave the GOP $87,000. In 1988, Irvine Co. chairman Donald Bren gave more than that by himself.

HELPING THE TORCH: In some cities, it would be scandalous to give a regular paycheck to someone in the mayor’s office who never came to work. In Brea, it’s for the cause. James Makshanoff of Costa Mesa, an intern in its mayor’s office, will make $9.44 a day--up to $1,500--while training with the U.S. Olympic water polo team. . . . Actually, the money to pay him comes from a special Olympics grant, so it doesn’t really hurt Brea’s general fund. Says Councilwoman Kathy Wiser: “We’re showing support for the Olympic cause. If it was a full-time salary--no way would I have voted for this.”

NEVER TOO YOUNG: Rita Curtis of Laguna Niguel has been been teaching youngsters how to swim for the vast majority of her 79 years (E1). Her technique: She spends as much time talking in the pool as she does swimming: “People don’t realize that children understand verbally as much as they do.” Teaching toddlers to swim, Curtis contends, would dramatically reduce home swimming pool drownings.

Book Drop

The county library system’s 30% budget reduction this year has had a dramatic effect on its ability to serve the public.

44% reduction in service hours

75% reduction in book budget

19% reduction in staff

Source: Orange County Public Library