Panel OKs Naming Central Library for Riordan

Rejecting calls for more public input, the Los Angeles Library Commission on Thursday voted to name the Central Library complex after Mayor Richard Riordan.

The Riordan-appointed commission voted 3 to 1, with one abstention, to call the landmark facility the “Richard J. Riordan Central Library.”

The commission took the action despite requests for delays from several City Council members, who said the community should be given more of a voice in the matter.

“There are many great figures who have influenced this great city--politicians, intellectuals, architects, artists of all kinds, community leaders--the list goes on and on,” according to a letter signed by council members Ruth Galanter, Cindy Miscikowski and Mark Ridley-Thomas.

“If we are truly to rename our most revered public spaces in honor of any new individual, then we cannot do so without a deliberate and inclusive outreach process garnering input from Angelenos everywhere.”

However, others argued that Riordan--who leaves office in July--deserved to be honored for his support of the city’s public library system. Placing his name on the facility was suggested in March by 15 people, including Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, author Ray Bradbury, billionaire businessman Eli Broad, Los Angeles Unified board President Genethia Hayes and five City Council members. Many have been longtime friends or supporters of Riordan.

“Mayor Riordan has presided over an era of unprecedented expansion of the library’s facilities, services and programs,” supporters wrote in a letter to the library commission last month. “Under the mayor’s leadership, 30 new or expanded libraries have opened--including the renovated and expanded Central Library.”

Commission President David Lehrer argued that the letter was evidence of “broad-based community support.”

“Mayor Riordan has been an extraordinary supporter of the library during his two terms, both as mayor of the city and through his private foundation,” Lehrer said. “

Riordan, meanwhile, told reporters Thursday that he was “thrilled” with the commission’s decision.

“I can’t think of anything that I would rather have named after me,” Riordan said. “I love books, I love libraries.”

Commissioner Guadalupe Reyes cast the only dissenting vote. She agreed that such a decision should be left up to the community. Commissioner Janet Fitch, meanwhile, abstained. She said the commission was acting too quickly.

“I would personally like to see more of the community reaction,” Fitch said. “I’ve been coming to this library since I was a kid. It was like going to the Emerald City. . . . I’d like to give people a chance to formulate more than a knee-jerk reaction.”