The Long Beach, California main library is under threat of closing due to budget restraints and structural problems to the building.  The building was built in 1977 - not exactly ancient.  Many people are speaking out against closing the library, one of the  most  notabale being author Ray Bradbury.   A group has been formed called “Save Our Long Beach Public Library” and they are working hard to save the library.  An estimated 27,000 children from low income families are served by this library.

As the attached Los Angeles Times article points out, there is a planned $20 million bond vote on building a new main library on the November ballot.  But in these anti-tax times, what if it doesn’t pass?  It would be a tragedy for a city the size of Long Beach to lose its main library.  Hopefully this will not set a precedent for other cities looking to save money.  People use libaries!  I know the small branch in the suburb  I live in stays busy all the time.  While I am in the book SELLING business, I would hate to see libraries start to close.  They are valuable resources for our cities and towns.  They must be a priority in civic budgets. 

Read this Los Angeles Times article for more details.