Helping Out the Library System

In your March 31 editorial, “Checking Out Ways to Keep the Library System Healthy,” The Times neglected to check out a key legislative opportunity to increase funding.

As early as April 23, a state Assembly budget panel will review the Public Library Foundation (PLF) Program funding.

Full funding of PLF would create $50.8 million disbursable through counties to libraries across the state. Unfortunately, support through this fund has dropped to a meager 17% of full funding.

According to the Office of the State Librarian, Orange County receives $425,000 from this source. If the PLF were fully funded, the county would receive $2.4 million. That’s the good news.

The bad news is that if Orange County cuts the library budget by $1 million, as The Times suggests may soon occur, the county’s PLF share will also drop.

The Times was correct that volunteers have done a magnificent job in helping to keep their libraries open and functioning. And you are correct in saying it isn’t enough. For those that cannot volunteer time, they can help by letting their elected state officials know how desperately these library funds are needed. Quality education is inextricably entwined with good libraries.

Citizens interested in commenting on full funding of the PLF should immediately write Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance, Chairman Bernie Richter, State Capitol, Sacramento, 95814. For further information, contact the California Library Assn. at (916) 447-8541.

SHERRY LEE MEDDICK

Silverado

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* The Central Library in Newport Beach is an example of what city governments and citizens can do to create a great library.

This is the best library in the county, if not in the state. It seems that all libraries could be like this if the county system were disbanded and cities could control their own libraries.

Irvine, for example, has the resources to make its two libraries equal to those in Newport Beach. As of now, only one library, Heritage Park, is even close to comparable to the beautiful library in Newport Beach.

LARRY FERCHAW

Irvine