Improved Library System Emerging

A number of people have been asking me what is going to happen to the libraries. I thought it might be helpful to put into perspective what has happened, and is about to happen, with the county library system.

Two years ago I made an effort to find a better way to operate a library system that had been decimated by the state. After meeting with all 10 cities, it seemed to me that the timing was right to make the library system one that was more responsive to the citizens; a system that would expand hours open to the public without increasing taxes.

We have been through public meetings and discussions in the paper, radio and television and it seems that everyone has had their say about what the problem is and how this or that will or will not work. Now we are down to the time when we know all the facts. All the city managers and a county-hired city manager from Chino, Richard Rowe, are dealing with these facts.

I believe the end result will be that the cities will have more of a say in how their branches are operated and will have a degree of control that they have not had in the past, while still remaining part of a united system. I believe that a library system will emerge that is lean financially and open more hours. I believe the library system that emerges from this process will blend the interest of the county in the unincorporated libraries and the cities in the city branches into a new alliance that will be the foundation of an outstanding system for the future.

We are not out of the woods yet, but this newly emerging system will show the public that all local governments involved want the best library system they can have for their residents. Let me close by saying that I am proud of all those who have gone through and participated in this difficult experience: the private citizens, the library support groups, county and city employees and all the elected representatives and their staff.

FRANK SCHILLO

Supervisor, 2nd District