A Warm Welcome Back

Several of the first books returned to the Northridge branch of the Los Angeles Public Library this week were due back there on a date of special significance: January 17.

Of course, not a single late fee was attached to any book with that date. The worst earthquake in modern city history presents a pretty weighty excuse, especially since it shut down the Northridge library, and branches in Canoga Park, North Hollywood, Chatsworth, Granada Hills and Woodland Hills. The region’s largest library--on the campus of Cal State Northridge--remains closed as well.

So far, only the Northridge city branch has reopened, thanks to $110,000 from the city and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Its return to regular operations, this past week, is another welcome sign of recovery in the Valley.

The Northridge branch is not the largest of the city’s Valley branches, nor is it usually the busiest. But the latter might not be the case anymore, at least for the time being. Quake-related repairs to other city branches are not expected to be completed for at least another three or four months.

It is at times like these when the true values of the libraries are less likely to be taken for granted. On the day that the Northridge branch finally reopened, folks showed up to use its resources to look for attorneys and to begin information-gathering for job searches. Elderly people on fixed incomes were again able to obtain bestsellers without having to buy them, and students whose families lack financial resources regained access to the kind of research options they could not otherwise obtain. We’re pleased to say: Welcome back.