Raise Librarians’ Pay

Re “Some Overdue Attention,” editorial, June 11: Forget White House book fairs and task forces on diversity. The simple solution to the librarian shortage is adequate compensation.

City of Los Angeles librarian recruits must possess a master’s degree in library and information science, and many have experience as librarians. Yet the city offers them a paltry starting pay of $33,500 to work evenings and weekends with an increasingly quarrelsome public.

These information-savvy prospects naturally choose to work for high-tech companies that compensate them in proportion to their education and skills. When librarians are paid a reasonable wage, the shortage will disappear.

Rita Buckley

Newbury Park