BUENA PARK : Study to Consider Library Alternatives

A majority of trustees for the local library district have agreed to explore alternatives to providing the community with library service.

Acting Wednesday night, the trustees favored going ahead with a $10,000 study on future library service amid state funding cutbacks that are threatening the library district, which takes 85% of its funding from property tax revenues.

However, two trustees, Helen M. Bohen and Edward A. Erdtsieck, opposed hiring a consultant to study consolidating the Buena Park Library with either the city or the county.

“I think this motion is premature,” Erdtsieck said.

The $10,000 study will be paid for by the Friends of the Library, a nonprofit group that raises money for library programs. San Diego-based BSI Consultants Inc. will do the study.

Trustee Patricia Ganer said she would prefer that the library remain a special district, but that alternatives need to be considered.

“I think we need to responsibly look at those two options,” Ganer said.

Library patron Lucinda Rothaermel criticized trustees for taking action on the study without an opportunity for public comment. The item was moved to the top of the agenda, before oral communications from the public.

Rothaermel also said she believes that the study is “premature and ludicrous at this point.”

She said the state won’t “abolish special districts overnight.”

Library Director Colleen McGregor said pursuing the study now is the “responsible thing to do.”

“If there are financial losses in the future we can’t wait until those discussions happen in Sacramento,” she said.

With the results of the study, McGregor said, “we’ll have the answers and know what direction we will head in the future. It’s just good management to study our alternatives.”

The 60-day study will examine the financial aspects of becoming a city library and analyze alternative revenue sources, the cost savings under consolidation and personnel issues.