Supervisors to Get Proposal to Extend 2 Libraries’ Hours

A proposal to extend the operating hours at two county libraries that faced possible closure earlier this year because of the county bankruptcy will go to the Board of Supervisors tonight.

Under the plan, the Villa Park and La Palma branches would each remain open four days a week. Because the county can only afford to pay for two days of service, the cities have agreed to finance the extra hours.

The Villa Park and La Palma branches were among six libraries threatened with closure last spring as the Orange County Public Library system searched for ways to cut costs in the wake of the county bankruptcy. But after public protests, supervisors agreed to keep five of the six libraries open two days a week.

In Villa Park, a group of residents formed a foundation to raise funds to expand hours. The group plans to raise about $23,000 a year to keep the library open four days a week.

In La Palma, the City Council decided to pick up the tab for expanded hours at the library.

Two of the other threatened branches, both in Garden Grove, are operating two days a week.

The Silverado Canyon branch is open four days a week, with volunteers helping library officials staff the facility, County Librarian John M. Adams said.

The sixth library, in Seal Beach, was purchased by the Leisure World governing foundation and converted into a private facility for residents of the retirement community.